BORUSSIA MOENCHENGLADBACH have been handed a massive fitness boost ahead of their home Champions League clash against Celtic on Tuesday after star playmaker Raffael returned to full training.

The 31-year-old was one of nine players absent for the 2-0 win over Stuttgart in the German Cup on Tuesday as Andre Schubert’s side endure an injury crisis.

However, he took part in training this week and Schubert has confirmed that the Brazilian is set to make a welcome return to their squad for tonight’s Bundesliga clash against Frankfurt.

Belgium internationalist Thorgan Hazard – brother of Chelsea forward Eden – and Ibrahima Traore, meanwhile, will miss out this evening but have not been ruled out of the return fixture against the Scottish champions next week.

“Raffael has had his first training session with the team,” confirmed Schubert. “He could be in the squad on Friday.

“Thorgan Hazard and Ibrahima Traore will definitely not be available to us against Frankfurt. We do not want to take any risks with both of them.”