Bremen wait on Brazilians Diego and Alberto

AFP - 12 September 2007 16:05

Werder Bremen have announced they are hoping to extend the contract of in-form Brazilian midfielder Diego (seen here in August 2007) as they wait on the fitness of his South American compatriot Carlo Alberto.

BREMEN, Germany (AFP) - Werder Bremen are hoping to extend the contract of in-form Brazilian midfielder Diego as they wait on the fitness of his South American compatriot Carlo Alberto, the club announced on Wednesday.

Alberto is struggling with a knee injury and broke down in training on Wednesday to become a major concern ahead of Friday's Bundesliga clash at Borussia Dortmund.

And playmaker Diego is under contract until June 2010 but after some top-class performances this season Bremen are keen to extend the 22-year-old's pay deal prematurely.

"We are pretty happy that Diego is still under contract with us until 2010," said director of sport Klaus Allofs said on Wednesday.

"It's not a burning issue for us, but we want to extend his contract."

But there is still no contract for Croatian striker Ivan Klasnic who has come back from two kidney transplants and is fighting his way back to full fitness.

"There is no time window on that issue and we don't want to avoid any pressure, we have to be patient," said coach Thomas Schaaf with Klasnic suffering from flu.