Toppmöller declares Theate fit for Augsburg, commits to Marmoush and Ekitiké

Eintracht Frankfurt's lethargic and rudderless performance against RB Leipzig in Wednesday's DFB Pokal fixture won't lead to either Omar Marmoush or Hugo Ekitiké being benched in this weekend's forthcoming league encounter against FC Augsburg. This was made abundantly clear by SGE trainer Dino Toppmöller at his Friday pre-match presser. 

"We won't be doing that," Toppmöller flatly stated when asked whether or not he was considering changes in attack, "both will be on the pitch tomorrow and will show us a reaction." 

Toppmöller will have to make at least one change to the XI he deployed against the German Red Bulls on Wednesday.Swedish midfielder Hugo Larsson remains out with the muscular issue he picked up in the cup loss. Mahmoud Dahoud counts as the most likely replacement, though Toppmöller also noted that the returning Oscar Højlund may soon be ready to fulfill the role that was initially intended for him.

Højlund's Danish compatriot Rasmus Kristensen - also returning from injury - incurred massive criticism for his work as a makeshift left-back in the RB loss. This unnatural deployment was rendered necessary by Arthur Theate's injury.Toppmöller noted that Theate would be ready for the forthcoming league match. 

“He completed training today and will be able to play tomorrow,” Toppmöller said, ”Arthur is a dream for every coach in terms of his mentality and willingness to serve the team.”

“He signaled straight away that he would be on the pitch on Saturday, no matter what,” Toppmöller said. “He'll get a good taping up and a painkiller. Then he'll be able to play.”