Werder Bremen are hoping to hear positive news on the results of a knee examination for injured centre back Naldo.

The 1.98m tall defender has together with Per Mertesacker formed one of the best interior defenses in the league over the past four seasons.

Naldo missed training on Tuesday due to the injury but manager Thomas Schaaf is confident Sebastian Prödl is ready to fill in should the Brazilian be ruled out for the start of the new season.

"We don't know anything for sure. It was not very good with his knee and now he is being checked out by the doctor. After the examination we should know the results," Schaaf told the club's official website.

"Sebastian Prödl has to set a standard. We have big expectations for him."

Aaron Hunt and Markus Rosenberg also did not take part in the training drills on Tuesday. Schaaf said Hunt took time off in the morning for personal reasons while Rosenberg was suffering a slight thigh problem.