Hamburg vs Freiburg Preview

Fink has warned that, after going four games without a win, his side are now back in the midst of a relegation battle, and he is therefore adapting his side for a fight.

"We don't have to play great, but in the end, we have got to win," he said.

"We need to be patient. Getting three points against Freiburg is our first chance to move clear of the relegation zone."

To aid his side's chances of winning, Fink is to take a gamble on forward, even though the midfielder is not yet fully fit after undergoing knee surgery.

"He will play," said Fink at the pre-match press conference. "He may not be 100%, but all he has to do is play 60 minutes, make it 1-0 and then he can come off again."

Captain Heiko Westermann and forward Paolo Guerrero are suspended, though, while Germany international Dennis Aogo has a calf strain.

Freiburg's injury worries have reduced somewhat with Pavel Krmas now back in training along with Beg Ferati and Oliver Barth.

Although the latter two may still not be ready for the trip to Hamburg, Krmas could tag along.

"We will see how he comes through training and then he may come with us," said their coach Christian Streich, who is confident about his side's chances after picking up five points against three of the top four sides recently.

"We will travel to Hamburg with the feeling that we did a few things right in Monchengladbach," he added at the pre-match press conference.

"We are looking forward to the challenge, even if it is going to be very difficult.

"Hamburg have many experienced players, but we are learning by the week."