Bayer Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba will miss Saturday’s Bundesliga match against VfB Stuttgart, despite returning this week from Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) duty, coach Kasper Hjulmand confirmed on Friday.

Tapsoba was part of the Burkina Faso squad that fell 3-0 to Ivory Coast in the AFCON round of 16 on Tuesday. The Bundesliga resumes this weekend following a three-week winter break.

“He will get a few days of holiday now, to relax and spend time with his family, but he will be back next week,” Hjulmand said at a press conference.

Leverkusen face a busy schedule, with a trip to Hamburger SV on Tuesday following the Stuttgart match, and another away fixture at Hoffenheim the following Saturday.

“Three points are a top priority tomorrow. We want to go to bed with the three points on Saturday night, and we are ready,” Hjulmand added.

Tapsoba could return for the Hamburg game, though Hjulmand stressed he would assess the player’s condition before making a final decision.

Leverkusen currently sit third in the Bundesliga with 29 points, three behind second-placed Borussia Dortmund and 12 adrift of leaders Bayern Munich.

Asked about the potential impact of cold and snowy conditions on Saturday, Hjulmand, who is Danish, said: “I don’t think it will be too bad tomorrow evening. In Denmark, it is much worse.”