Leverkusen to make late call on Maza's availability for Mainz clash

Ibrahim Maza is "feeling better" after picking up an ankle injury on international duty, but remains a doubt to start for Bayer Leverkusen against Mainz on Saturday.

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Bayer Leverkusen are set to make a late decision on Ibrahim Maza’s availability for Saturday’s Bundesliga clash with Mainz after the Algerian international picked up an ankle injury during the international break.

“He is feeling better,” Leverkusen head coach Carles Martínez said at a press conference on Friday, before adding that Maza’s fitness will need to be assessed in training before a decision can be made on his availability.

“We need to check that in training today, and we need to analyse it carefully because Maza is obviously an important player,” he added.

“The question might be whether he is at 100 per cent tomorrow, whether he is at 80 percent, and whether he is ready to start or not.”

With a busy schedule ahead, Leverkusen are unlikely to take any unnecessary risks with their key midfielder, with Malik Tillman ready to step in if needed.