Wednesday evening's DFB Cup tie with Hertha BSC left its mark, with Marco Reus, Lukasz Piszczek, Matthias Ginter and Marcel Schmelzer all picking up injuries against the capital club. "There are big question marks surrounding the involvement of all four," said Thomas Tuchel ahead of BVB's Bundesliga trip to SV Darmstadt 98 on Saturday.

"A last test" this afternoon will determine which of the quartet will travel with the squad to Darmstadt. A Berlin player unfortunately jumped into Piszczek's back in an aerial battle, while Schmelzer and Ginter sustained knocks to their knee and ankle respectively. In addition, Reus suffered an injury to his iliac crest. "Yesterday they definitely wouldn't have been able to play," said Tuchel.

Ousmane Dembélé is expected to feature, despite being plagued by exhaustion and cramps. "I think we'll get that sorted by tomorrow," said the coach, who has the Black and Yellows' first-class medical department at his disposal. (br)