Leeds United defender Maximilian Wöber has not given up hope of playing at the World Cup, despite making one appearance all season on loan at Werder Bremen.
BILD report that the 28-year-old is still dreaming of heading to the World Cup with Austria.
And, as ludicrous as it may sound, Ralf Rangnick has given him hope.
Injury nightmare
Maximilian Wöber left Leeds United on loan in the summer looking to get his career back on track. He managed just nine appearances totalling 395 minutes for Leeds last season thanks to knee surgery in September and then again in February.
A return to Germany with Werder was supposed to provide a fresh start. Instead, it’s been a continuation of the misery.
To date he’s made one appearance totalling 79 minutes for the German and that was back in August in the DFB-Pokal. He has not made an appearance in the Bundesliga. In fact, the best he’s managed is two appearances on the bench.
That’s because he’s been sidelined by torn muscle bundles and a torn muscle fibre involving tendon damage.
Austria hopes
But now he’s on the comeback trail, recently appearing in an U23 games over the weekend. That saw him play one half as he looks to build his fitness.
“Max still wants to jump on the World Cup bandwagon. He needs playing time to get into his stride,” explains coach Daniel Thioune.
That dream may seem unrealistic, but BILD explain that the Leeds defender ‘remains a topic of discussion’ for Ralf Rangnick. During the international break in March, Rangnick included him despite his injuries.
“He is someone who has been around for a long time and who enriches the group with his personality,” explained the Austrian coach. “For him, it all hinges on the healing process.”
That is seen as an indication that even if Maximilian Wöber isn’t fully fit, Rangnick still wants him as a leader in the group. Thus, the focus is on getting as many minutes as possible before the season ends.
Whether he can do that given his injury record, is up for debate. But Rangnick has provided the carrot for him to chase at least.
For Leeds United, Wöber getting fit and appearing at the World Cup may help build summer transfer interest.
