Boniface could return against RB Leipzig

Bayer Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso has indicated that Victor Boniface could feature in the Bundesliga for the first time in more than two months against RB Leipzig this weekend.

The Nigeria international has been sidelined since the end of November when he returned from international duty with a thigh injury which he appeared to pick up in the 2-1 defeat to Rwanda.

Boniface had made a flying start to the season for Leverkusen, scoring six goals in 10 league appearances before injury struck, ruling him out of their next eight matches.

The 24-year-old striker also missed the UEFA Champions League meetings with RB Salzburg and Inter Milan, although his absence wasn’t as keenly felt to due to fine form of Patrik Schick.

The Czech Republic international has bagged an impressive 11 goals since his team-mate’s injury, including a hat-trick against Heidenheim and a quadruple against Freiburg.

When asked if Boniface could return to action at the Red Bull Arena on Saturday, Alonso said in the pre-match press conference: “Yes. We’ll see, but he’s in the squad.”