Eintracht Frankfurt's Mahdavikia returns to practice

IRNA - Eintracht Frankfurt defender Mehdi Mahdavikia recovered from his upper thigh injury, resuming team practice ahead of Wednesday's second stage German Elimination Cup match at Bundesliga rivals Borussia Dortmund, press reports said Monday.

Frankfurt head coach Friedhelm Funkel stressed any decision to nominate Mahdavikia for the Dortmund game, depended on the Iranian skipper's performance in training.

Mahdavikia was sidelined with a torn muscle fibre since October 18.

The former Hamburger SV player has yet to fulfill Frankfurt's high expectations when they signed him to a three-year contract last summer.

The ex-Piruozi striker began the first seven Bundesliga matches in Frankfurt's starting formation but was later on benched by trainer Funkel as a result of his woeful play.

Frankfurt is currently placed 9th with 16 points out of 11 Bundesliga games.