Werder Bremen head coach Daniel Thioune has opened up on his recent discussions with Victor Boniface, expressing optimism that the Super Eagles striker could still play a key role in the club’s fight for survival in the Bundesliga.

Boniface has endured a difficult spell since joining Werder Bremen on loan from Bayer Leverkusen, with a serious knee injury in December ruling him out for several months and initially appearing to end his season prematurely.

The 25-year-old underwent surgery in January and began a lengthy rehabilitation process away from the team.

However, recent developments suggest a turnaround in his recovery.

Boniface has now returned to Bremen and resumed training, with a gradual reintegration into the squad underway.

His comeback comes after months on the sidelines, raising hopes that he could feature again before the end of the campaign.

Thioune confirmed he has already held detailed talks with the forward, highlighting both the player’s commitment and the potential impact he could have in the closing weeks of the season.

The Werder Bremen boss expressed satisfaction after meeting the striker and outlined the player’s desire to contribute.

“First of all, I’m happy to have met him. We had a long talk. He indicated that he wants to help us in our fight to stay in the league,” Thioune told the club's official website.

The Werder coach also made it clear that Boniface will not be rushed back into action, stressing that the club intends to manage his return carefully after a long injury layoff.

He pointed to the importance of easing the striker back into competitive action over the coming weeks.

“For me, that offers another option, but not for this weekend. In the coming weeks, we’re playing against teams of similar strength, and if we can give Victor a few minutes of playing time, that could be a big help and a real asset for us,” he added.

Werder Bremen are currently locked in a tense relegation battle, sitting 14th in the Bundesliga table and only a few points above the drop zone with limited matches remaining. 

Wale Adejumo