Borussia Dortmund are hoping Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Lukasz Piszczek will return to fitness in time for Tuesday's Champions League clash with Sporting Lisbon.
Dortmund have so far picked up four points in Europe this season and could take a big step towards the knockout stages with victory over Sporting at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.
However, the German side have not recorded a win in their last three matches, and are without several key players following an injury crisis at the club.
"We are very concerned over the situation and about the number of injuries that we have suffered in recent times," Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel told his prematch news conference. "There isn't one reason; every injury has its own story. We miss every individual player. At the same time, everyone that plays has our full backing and trust."
Dortmund will be without captain Marcel Schmelzer, Raphael Guerreiro, Gonzalo Castro, Andre Schurrle, Sven Bender, Erik Durm, Marco Reus and Neven Subotic on Tuesday, while Mikel Merino and Park Joo-Ho, who both played in Friday's 1-1 Bundesliga draw with Hertha Berlin, have not been named in the squad.
Tuchel, however, is still hopeful that Sokratis and Piszczek can return from their injuries, and he told reporters that their chances of playing have "greatly risen."
"We have real hope that they will both be able to play tomorrow," he added.
Following a flying start to the season, Dortmund have struggled in recent weeks. One point from their last two league games has seen them drop to fifth in the Bundesliga standings.
"You can't replace the feel of a win, be it a deserved or a lucky one, by anything," Tuchel said. "It gives you the ease to win consecutive games."
Tuchel also warned that the two upcoming games against Sporting could be crucial if they want to reach the knockout stages of the Champions League.
"We know the importance of direct competition," he said. "In the preparation for the game this plays, however, no role. That would only distract us."
Dortmund midfielder Sebastian Rode added that the side were impressed by Sporting's performance in their 2-1 defeat at Real Madrid this season.
"They played a brilliant match in Madrid and had Real on the brink of defeat," he said. "It won't be an easy match."