Dominik Kohr: Injury halts progress
The 27-year-old has 10 Bundesliga and two DFB cup appearances to his name, and he was very much a fixture in the Mainz 05 side until he picked up a thigh injury in the match against Köln on 22 November, which has sidelined him since then.
Ali Akman: Playing and scoring
Akman went out to NEC Nijmegen in the Dutch Eredivisie at the start of the season, and has very much shown what he’s capable of. The 19-year-old striker has seen plenty of action, making 16 appearances and scoring five goals in the process.
Steven Zuber: Team player
The 30-year-old is playing a vital role for AEK Athens, making 15 appearances in the first half of the season and helping his side to second place in the table.
Rodrigo Zalazar: Central role
Zalazar has made 16 appearances for FC Schalke 04, 14 of them starts. The 22-year-old Uruguayan has established himself as a midfield linchpin for the second-division side.
Igor Matanovic: Fit again and back in demand
On loan at Hamburg club FC St. Pauli, Matanovic has been able to enjoy the Christmas break with his team top of the tree in Bundesliga 2. The centre-forward missed part of pre-season and then the first 11 matches due to a groin injury, but has started four of the past five games.
Fynn Otto: Waiting game after pro debut
Nineteen-year-old youth product Otto is currently on loan at third-division side Hallescher FC. The central defender made his professional debut on 21 September but since then has had to be content with sporadic playing time.
Elias Bördner: Number two
Bördner is also struggling to get match practice with Viktoria Köln. First-choice keeper Sebastian Mielitz has missed just one game due to injury, leaving the 19-year-old Eintracht youth teamer having to be patient on the sidelines.
