By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- The return of Marco Reus to regular training is giving Borussia Dortmund a motivation boost. The 28-year-old German international was sidelined for seven months after a knee injury.
"It is great to have him back; he is a great support on the pitch and mentally for the entire team. Marco will help us to gain more points in the second half of the season," team captain Marcel Schmelzer commented. Club CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke said the team was missing Reus' qualities "in all respects."
Watzke emphasized the optimistic mood in the squad of the Yellow and Blacks. Dortmund's club leader said Reus would help to achieve the side's season goal such as to qualifying for the Champions League campaign 2018/2019. "Ideally we finish the season as second," Watzke stressed.
While Dortmund's new coach Peter Stoeger and his team prepare for the second half of the 2017/2018 Bundesliga in Southern Spain sports director, Michael Zorc is hoping to soon extent Reus' contract currently running until 2019.
"Marco's heart is Yellow and Black, and he is one of our key performers. I would love to have him around for much longer as he is a factor on the pitch and for the entire club," Zorc commented.
Portuguese midfielder Raphael Guerreiro called Reus "irreplaceable" for Dortmund.
Reus said he would take his time but is extremely happy to be back. The last months have been a hard challenge for him. "I am aware that health is the most important thing in life," the striker said.
Reus' attempt to get back to action is not only crucial for Borussia but German national team coach Joachim Loew. Loew said he is anxiously waiting for a player like Reus when it comes to his squad for the 2018 World Cup. "I hope he will be back soon. He is a player with exceptional skills that can make the difference," Loew said.
Due to injury, Reus had missed the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and the 2016 European Championships in France.
Coach Stoeger called for patience regarding Reus and scheduled a possible first game for the beginning of February. "We have to be careful and should not expect too much. The past tells us to take things easy when talking about Marco's first game. But we all feel well having him around," Stoeger said.
Stoeger said he is optimistic for the second half of the season as "we have great quality in the squad. We just need to remember that and get it back to the players' minds," the successor of former Borussia coach Peter Bosz told German media.
The team is on an excellent way to forget about the problems of the past months such as injuries, disappointing performances and the bomb attack Stoeger said. "We are very much looking forward to the start next week as we feel great confidence and team spirit," former Cologne coach Stoeger said.
As Stoeger praises his team's stability new speculations regarding Dortmund star striker, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang don't seem to disturb the proper mood.
Watzke denied reports speaking of a 72-million euro deal for summer 2018. The French-born 28-year-old Aubameyang is said to have agreed to a contract with China's champions Guangzhou Evergrande. Lately, rumors spoke about a possible move to Chinese Super League side Beijing Guoan worth up to 60 million euro.
According to the Nuremberg based football magazine "kicker", Dortmund is not in negotiations about Aubameyang with other clubs. Otherwise, the club would be forced to report vital chances as it is a listed company.
"Speculations around Aubameyang won't end as long as he is playing for us. We have been through too many until now and won't comment on every speculative news," Watzke told the "kicker".
