Bayer 04 Leverkusen head coach gives positive update on Boniface’s injury, backs Schick to shine in his absence

Bayer 04 Leverkusen head coach, Xabi Alonso, has revealed a positive update on Victor Boniface's recovery from a thigh injury, backing his teammate, Patrick Schick, to shine in his absence, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 23-year-old striker struggled to impress at the start of the season, but got better as time went on, and was able to score eight goals for Die Werkself across all competitions.

Following the November International break, Boniface helped the Super Eagles seal qualification to the AFCON 2025 tournament but returned to Germany with a thigh injury, and his recovery period is still unknown.

Alonso, speaking in his pre-game conference ahead of his side's DFB Pokal clash against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena tomorrow, revealed Boniface is currently progressing in his recovery journey after tearing a muscle fiber.

“We have hope. Every two or three days, tests are carried out to see how he is doing. He is on the right track, but it is too early to say when he will be back,” the Spaniard said in quotes revealed by Liga Insider.

In Boniface's absence, Czech striker, Patrik Schick, has filled the goalscoring shoes perfectly, scoring five goals in his last five games for Leverkusen, drawing praise from Alonso.

“He doesn't just score goals. He did a lot of things very well, including against Union in a very intense game against a tough defence.”

Alonso's men have suffered hiccups in their attempts to defend their Bundesliga title, and are seven points behind Bayern Munich.