Union Berlin will again be without striker Andrej Ilic when they face FC Schalke 04 on Friday at 20:30. The 26-year-old has been sidelined for roughly a month,
Why Ilic has been out for weeks
Ilic had to leave Union's training camp in Styria, Austria, early after suffering food poisoning. Shortly afterwards he developed appendicitis and underwent surgery.
The 1.89-metre forward is expected to be fit again within two weeks with the target date being the match against Bayern Munich after the international break.
Who leads the attack against Schalke
Without his regular striker, head coach Mauro Lustrinelli, 50, currently relies on loan returnee Marin Ljubicic and new signing Emmanuel Latte Lath up front.
Ilic joined Union Berlin on loan in the summer of 2024 and extended his contract with the club a few weeks ago. Last season he scored five goals and added ten assists for the club.
Where Union stand in the league right now
In the final 2025 Bundesliga table, Union Berlin finished 11th with 32 points from eight wins, eight draws and 13 defeats in 29 games. The club scored 33 goals and conceded 50, a goal difference of minus 17, sitting 44 points behind leaders Bayern Munich.
Union last won 4:0 against FC Augsburg on 16 May 2026 and are unbeaten in their last two matches, having taken two wins, one draw and two defeats across their last five outings. The full picture can be checked on our standings page.
When Ilic and Burke are set to return
Alongside Ilic, Union are also missing Scottish winger Oliver Burke. The 29-year-old has dealt with Achilles tendon trouble since test matches in Switzerland at the end of July and is likewise pencilled in to return against Bayern Munich.
Other absentees for the club include: - Robert Skov - Aljoscha Kemlein - Livan Burcu - Frederik Ronnow - Lucas Tousart - Diogo Leite
Anyone wanting this season's squad list can find it on our squad page, while the full injury picture is tracked on the injuries page. Union's next fixture comes on Friday at 20:30 against Schalke 04.
