Hamburg injuries clear as Merlin Polzin targets fourth consecutive Bundesliga victory

Hamburg head coach Merlin Polzin has received a welcome personnel boost ahead of Saturday's Bundesliga trip to SC Paderborn. Patson Daka, Albert Sambi Lokonga, and Bakery Jatta are all available again after recovering from their respective injury problems.

The returning trio provide the 35-year-old with additional options as Hamburger SV attempt to secure a fourth consecutive Bundesliga victory. Speaking at Thursday's pre-match press conference, Polzin confirmed that the three players had participated extensively in training during the week, with some completing full sessions.

Captain Nicolai Remberg and the suspended Mario Vuskovic remain unavailable, but the coach was otherwise pleased with his squad's improving fitness situation. The welcome developments nevertheless present Polzin with something of a selection dilemma.

Following HSV's dramatic 1-0 victory over VfB Stuttgart last weekend, the Hanseaten have now won three consecutive Bundesliga matches for the first time in 16 years. "For us, this is an outstanding situation to be in," Polzin said on Thursday.

"We have players who are performing, delivering results, and helping the team succeed. Competition for places does something to a team.

The coach emphasized that his returning players must earn their opportunities through their performances in training. He also praised the contributions of his substitutes, who have repeatedly influenced matches during HSV's recent winning streak.

Everyone is eager and making it very difficult for me to decide who will start," Polzin said. Hamburg's remarkable resurgence follows disastrous Bundesliga start HSV's improving fortunes represent a remarkable reversal from the opening weeks of the campaign.

Polzin's team lost their first three Bundesliga fixtures without scoring a goal, conceding 12 times in defeats against Borussia Dortmund, Mainz 05, and RB Leipzig. Despite the disastrous start, Hamburg's leadership reaffirmed its faith in Polzin by extending the contracts of the entire coaching staff.

The decision came immediately before the fourth matchday, when HSV finally secured their first victory of the season against 1. A dramatic 3-2 comeback victory away at Hoffenheim followed, before Swiss international Miro Muheim struck another spectacular late winner against Stuttgart.