50,000 supporters for a friendly: 'This week is for Mario'

HSV defender Vuskovic returns to action after four-year doping ban; 50,000 supporters expected for friendly against Hajduk Split.

Mario Vuskovic will make his long-awaited return to competitive football on Sunday after serving a four-year doping suspension. The HSV defender will play in a friendly against Hajduk Split during the international break, with the club expecting nearly 50,000 supporters at the Volksparkstadion to mark the occasion.

Vuskovic has been sidelined for 1,467 days but returned to training in September. HSV manager Merlin Polzin said the week is focused on Vuskovic and the team wants to avoid putting pressure on him, though Polzin acknowledged the defender will place demands on himself with such a large crowd watching. "There will be quite a few people coming to watch," Polzin said.

Vuskovic's younger brother Luka, Brighton's record signing who spent last season on loan at HSV, expressed his pride in the family moment. After the international break, Mario will be eligible to play in the Bundesliga, with HSV's next league fixture against Werder Bremen in the Nordderby.