Dortmund forward Karim Adeyemi, who has missed Borussia Dortmund’s last eight games, returned to light running duties last week and is expected to resume full training.

Further reports revealed it is unclear as to when Adeyemi will return to Borussia Dortmund’s matchday squad as they will need to see how the forward’s muscles react following his recent strain.

Adeyemi has scored five and created five in eight games across all competitions this season and was becoming an important player under Nuri Şahin, but the German attacker – who missed nine games last season – was sidelined until the current international break at the earliest.

Adeyemi isn’t the only one closer to return. Julien Duranville, who occupies a position similar to Adeyemi, has also made a return to light running duties but is being monitored closely following his injury history.

With returning personnel to the team, one notable absentee for Dortmund is suspended skipper Emre Can.

The player was sent off against Mainz 05 at the weekend. The Dortmund midfielder will miss the club’s next two Bundesliga games, against Freiburg (November 23) and Bayern Munich (November 30), following his challenge on Lee Jae-sung, which resulted in a straight red card in the 27th minute.

From then on, Dortmund conceded just 11 minutes later via Lee before Serhou Guirassy equalized from the spot. But BVB were dealt a blow heading into the break after Jonathan Burkardt restored Mainz’s lead in the third minute of stoppage time.

Bo Henriksen’s Mainz then ran out 3-1 winners after Paul Nebel added a third in the 54th minute.

Evidently struggling, Borussia Dortmund have suffered their joint-worst start to a Bundesliga season in 10 years.

Nuri Şahin’s side are seventh and are already 10 points behind leaders Bayern Munich.

After the international break, Dortmund host Freiburg before travelling to Croatia for their Champions League tie against Dinamo Zagreb, before hosting the Klassiker against Bayern.