Bayer Leverkusen choose Jonas Hofmann over Victor Boniface for Europa League squad

Victor Boniface has been left out of Bayer Leverkusen’s Europa League squad for Thursday’s trip to Greece, despite the club being allowed to make a replacement after Martin Terrier suffered a serious injury.

Terrier sustained the muscular injury during Leverkusen’s 4-0 win over Lech Poznan last Thursday and is expected to be unavailable until December. The French forward’s absence gave the club the opportunity to register another player for the competition.

However, Leverkusen have selected veteran midfielder Jonas Hofmann instead of Boniface. The 34-year-old is expected to travel with the squad for the Europa League meeting with OFI Crete.

The decision is another setback for Boniface, who has found it difficult to establish himself since returning from Bremen.

The 25-year-old has played only once this season, starting in the opening-day 3-2 defeat by newly promoted SV Elversberg. He has not been given another chance by new head coach Carles Martinez since that match.

Boniface’s prospects in attack have also become more complicated. Patrik Schick is ahead of him in the pecking order, while Christian Kofane is currently injured.

Despite Kofane’s absence, Leverkusen have opted not to use the available Europa League registration place on Boniface. Instead, Hofmann has been handed the opportunity to be included in the squad for the match in Crete.

Boniface recently drew attention after leaving the stadium before the final whistle of Leverkusen’s 4-3 victory over Mainz 05. He had been frustrated after not being used in the match.

The striker later admitted that leaving early had been a mistake, but the incident did not improve his position within the squad.

His omission from the Europa League group follows a limited start to the campaign and leaves him facing further uncertainty over his role at the club, according to allnigeriasoccer.com.