By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The case of Dortmund striker Sebastien Haller might lead to a change in the procedures of medical checks in advance of transfers in professional football.
Several medical experts demanded to include cancer check in the program only covering orthopaedic and cardiological checks for now.
The 28-year-old new arrival of the 2012 German champion had passed the usual checks only four weeks ago with the Black and Yellows having paid up to 35 million euros to his former club Ajax.
This Monday, Dortmund doctors discovered a testicular tumor after the striker admitted not feeling well.
The forward left the club's pre-season training camp in Bad Ragaz in Switzerland heading to receive further surgery in Germany.
While the entire club remains in a state of shock according to head coach Edin Terzic, public attention is turning to the growing number of cases over the past months.
Hertha striker Marco Richter (24 years old) and Union defender Timo Baumgartl (28) had to go through operations and chemotherapy to fight their illness.
Former cycling star Lance Armstrong was another prominent example suffering from the illness.
Klaus-Peter Dieckmann, director of the testicular tumor center, demanded to include urological checks in the medical check of professional footballers.
The expert called it a medical omission not to include the topic.
While chances of recovery are said to be high, Haller is facing a longer break like Richter and Baumgartl. The Union player has reportedly lost all of his hair. Both are sidelined for several weeks and months.
With Dortmund waiting for the final results, the club has to answer the question of how to replace the striker who was meant to be the successor of Erling Haaland. The Norwegian goal-machine has left for Manchester City.
"What has happened is overall hard for Sebastien and us. We have to go on while we wish him the best for a quick recovery. But as you can imagine, what has happened leaves us back in a gloomy mood," Terzic said.
The coach said it is an emotional challenge to talk about tactics and football at present.
Haller thanked for all the wishes he received. The striker said he is optimistic to be back as soon as possible.
The club might be forced to consider an additional transfer shortly. Present players such as 19-year-old talent Bradley Fink, Youssoufa Moukoko, Donyell Malen or Karim Adeyemi are said to possibly cover Haller' job upfront for a while.
The German Cup duel on July 29 against third-tier side 1860 Munich is Dortmund's season opener followed by the league encounter against Leverkusen on August 6. ■
