Guirassy out of Dortmund's clash with Elversberg

WATCH the Bundesliga LIVE on beIN SPORTS | Sign up TODAY!! | AU | NZ

Guirassy, who is Dortmund's top scorer this season with eight goals across all competitions, was replaced in the 34th minute of its win over Real Betis in the UEFA Champions League.

His replacement, Konstantinos Karetsas, netted the winning goal for the Bundesliga giant, and he looks set to play a crucial role at Signal Iduna Park this Sunday (AEDT). 

Dortmund is level on points with Bayern Munich at the top of the table, with this its final outing before the November international break.

Guirassy had been due to link up with Guinea this month, but Kovac revealed conversations were ongoing about his number nine remaining in Germany to continue his recovery.

"Serhou has a strain. He won't be able to play," Kovac said. "We'll see how we handle this over the next few days.

"We're in close communication with the [Guinea] federation. It looks like he won't be travelling and will stay here. But we'll discuss that further with the federation."

Kovac was unsure about when Guirassy would be fit to return, but he was able to confirm that midfielder Marcel Sabitzer was back in contention to face Elversberg.

Sabitzer, who was the match-winner in the DFB-Pokal last week with his direct free-kick against Werder Bremen, was sidelined in the UEFA Champions League in midweek with illness.

The Dortmund boss was also on hand to discuss Maximilian Beier, who was surprisingly left out of Jurgen Klopp's Germany squad for its final UEFA Nations League fixtures.

Beier has two goals and two assists across 15 appearances in all competitions, while his 14 chances created are the fifth-highest tally within Dortmund's ranks this season.

"Of course, it's very disappointing for Maxi," Kovac added. "I would have liked him to have been there, too.

"He will take it. He will become stronger from it and will learn from it. He will get his chance. I'm convinced of that."