Football United

New Hamburger SV striker Benjamin Lauth is set to begin first-team training with his team-mates today having received the go-ahead from the HSV club doctor.
While Lauth, a close season signing from 1860 Munich, is hopeful of involvement today, he is likely to sit out much of this afternoon's training session which involves tackling exercises. The striker has been recovering from an anke injury over the summer, but is now expected to make his first-team bow in the DFB Pokal clash in Paderborn on August 21.

The return of the promising striker is a boost for HSV coach Klaus Toppmöller who has endured a difficult start to the season. Last week, HSV lost captain Tomas Ujfalusi to Fiorentina, lost to Villarreal in the Intertoto Cup, and capped off a disappointing period with a 2-0 home reverse to Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga opener on Saturday. HSV visit newly-promoted Mainz in the second round of Bundesliga fixtures on Saturday hoping for an upturn in fortunes.

Meanwhile, former HSV midfielder Thomas Gravesen is being linked with a return to the AOL Arena. The Everton player had a three-year spell in Hamburg between 1997 and 2000 and is rumoured to be unsettled at Goodison Park. HSV Sports Director Dietmar Beiersdorfer told Premiere: "We have spoken with both the player and the club and have made an offer. We want to buy Gravesen because we are missing a holding player in our midfield, and that has the highest priority."

The inconsistent Gravesen is a valuable combative player when on song, but suffers from an inability to maintain his form for long periods. Everton are likely to seriously consider the HSV offer as they seek to improve their options in an area of the pitch where they were caught short on many occasions last season.

Source: Goal.com