IRIB - Iranian national team Striker Mehdi
Mahdavikia will return to Hamburg starting line-up for Saturday's Bundesliga
match in Bochum after being benched for almost three months, the German
sports press reported Thursday.
Hamburg Coach Thomas Doll cited Mahdavikia's good training performances and
his improved play in last week's 2-0 home loss against Hanover 96 as reasons
for his nomination.
Mahdavikia had voiced deep frustration over his reserve player status but
ruled out an early transfer to another team.
Earning 2 million euros a year, last year's Asian and HSV player of the year
only recently extended his contract until 2007.
Livescore