SV Sandhausen welcomes MSV Duisburg on Saturday. Coach Jens Keller talks about his squad and the Zebras.

MSV Duisburg will be looking to secure its first away win of the season on Saturday (2 p.m., RS live ticker) at SV Sandhausen.

What could play into the hands of the offensively harmless Zebras: The second division relegation team is plagued by personnel problems and has to cope with painful absences, especially in defense.

“We’re running on empty in defense,” explained coach Jens Keller at Thursday’s press conference. Defenders Dennis Diekmeier, Tim Knipping, and Lucas Laux are definitely out, and Max Geschwill is doubtful due to swelling in his midfoot.

Sandhausen will also be without midfielders Alexander Fuchs and Joe-Joe Richardson. Summer signing Richardson, who has not played a major role so far, will be out for a long time for SVS. He suffered a meniscus injury in training and will need surgery.

Coach Keller has been in office for a month. “I’m very satisfied because the team is pulling together well and implementing things. It’s a process,” is the 52-year-old’s interim assessment. “I feel that things are running more smoothly from week to week.”

If you exclude the DFB Cup exit against Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen, Keller is still unbeaten. There have been two draws and one win in the league, and during the international break, Sandhausen also defeated league rivals Waldhof Mannheim 4-1 in the association cup.