Victor Boniface has received a timely boost in his recovery, as Daniel Thioune hinted that the striker could soon make a return to first-team action for Werder Bremen.
Boniface, sidelined since December 2025 following knee surgery, has resumed individual training and is gradually regaining full fitness. Although he is not yet ready for match action, Thioune has not ruled out the possibility of the Nigerian featuring in the upcoming clash against Hamburger SV.
“We’re not ruling any player out, not even Victor,” the coach said, adding that a final call will depend on how the forward progresses in training.
Despite the positive update, Thioune made it clear that Boniface is unlikely to start. Any appearance would probably come from the bench, as the club carefully manages his reintegration—especially after earlier criticism from the coach regarding the player’s weight management during recovery.
The timing of his potential return could be crucial for Bremen, who are fighting to stay above the relegation zone. They head into the high-pressure North German derby on the back of a poor run of results.
Their opponents, Hamburg, are also not entirely safe, which raises the stakes of the encounter. Bremen will additionally be without suspended captain Marco Friedl, making the challenge tougher.
In Boniface’s absence, players such as Romano Schmid and Justin Njinmah have stepped up in attack. Still, even a brief return from the Nigerian striker could provide the spark Bremen need in a match that may prove decisive for their survival hopes.
