Borussia Dortmund frustrated by calf injury Jadon Sancho carried into Bundesliga restart

Borussia Dortmund have been frustrated by a calf injury Jadon Sancho carried into the Bundesliga restart.

The England forward, 20, came off the bench in the defeat to Bayern Munich this week but manager Lucien Favre is seemingly unwilling to risk the talented youngster from the start.

Sancho was unable to help his side avoid a one-nil defeat that leaves Bayern seven clear with six to play and the League title looking all-but settled.

Sancho picked up his strain before the resumption of matches in Germany. He was able to begin full training as the season restarted and Favre has been building up his minutes played over three substitute appearances.

Favre has clashed with Sancho this season when the winger returned to Dortmund late from international duty, leading to a fine and getting dropped.

Sancho was also substituted after 36 minutes of the defeat to Bayern in November. “I had to go on what I was seeing and, to be honest, it was not good enough," said Favre of the Englishman's performance. Bayern won 4-0.

But Sancho, who has been a long-term target for Manchester United, has been one of Dortmund's best performers since the humiliating first-half substitution. His next 11 games produced 11 goals and his form helped Dortmund stay within sight of Bayern.

His statistics as a teenager - he turned 20 in March - were comparable to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. This season he has 14 goals and 16 assists in the Bundesliga.

He is in the frame to start on Sunday against SC Paderborn but Favre ideally wanted him fit for the resumption of matches.

Bayern could be 10 points ahead of them by kick-off. Dortmund are also assessing a knee injury Erling Haaland picked up during the defeat to Handi Flick’s team.