Carlos Baleba

Baleba was substituted at halftime of Saturday's 2-2 draw against Tottenham due to tiredness, coach Fabian Hurzeler said in a press conference. "He just felt tired. I think that everyone has to understand with Carlos that he's a very young player and he had unbelievable development in the last season and everyone expects him to keep pushing, keep going the same like it was last year, but he's a 20-year-old player. He needs time. His development is not linear and at the moment he seems to be in a small down, but I think it's very important to understand that he's not a machine. He's a very young, talented player. He needs help, he needs support from us. He needs the right environment. He tried everything today. He pushed but he only had 45 minutes in his body. And that's something we have to accept."

Baleba continues to work up his fitness, according to manager Fabian Hurzeler. "It's very positive for Carlos. Of course, we needed to take care of him after he was out for almost three, four weeks. And we couldn't let him play for 90 minutes. But now it's about getting him back to his highest level regarding physicality, and then I'm sure he will be an option for us at the weekend."

Baleba (knee) makes the starting XI for Saturday's opener against Fulham.

Baleba (knee) is an option to start the season opener against Fulham on Saturday, coach Fabian Hurzeler said in the press conference, according to The Argus.

Baleba is dealing with a knee injury sustained during the pre-season camp in Marbella but has been training in recent days and will be back for the season opener against Fulham, coach Fabian Hurzeler told the media, according to The Athletic.