Hertha Berlin have said they will not take any risks with John Anthony Brooks after the United States defender returned from international duty with a minor thigh problem.
Brooks has been ruled out of Saturday's Bundesliga meeting with Stuttgart and Hertha coach Pal Dardai said the 22-year-old has been ordered to rest rather than train with the team.
"We won't take any risks and turn a small muscle injury into a big one," Dardai told reporters in Berlin on Thursday.
Brooks, who played for United States at this summer's Gold Cup, impressed for Hertha last season but has endured a frustrating start to the new campaign.
The centre-back made his first start of the season in the 3-1 defeat to Borussia Dortmund just before the international break and, like the rest of his teammates, could not produce his best form.
Hertha have taken four points from their first three games of the season, while Stuttgart have lost all three of their matches.