Klose eager for Bremen return

Miroslav Klose is eager to renew his partnership with Ivan Klasnic when Werder Bremen host VfL Wolfsburg in the pick of today's German Cup second round ties.

Klose, still feeling the effects of a bout of flu a couple of weeks back, was left out of the starting line-up for Saturday's goalless draw with Hanover 96.

It was the first time Bremen, top scorers in the Bundesliga with 27 goals, had failed to find the net in a league game this season and Klose is anxious for a recall as the Cup reaches the round of 32.

"I came back quickly after the flu but I then just had a little dip," said the German international striker.

"But I'm fully fit again now and I want to play."

Wolfsburg have beaten Hamburg and drawn with Schalke 04 in their last two games to move up to seventh in the Bundesliga and the Wolves will be dangerous opponents for Bremen.

Schalke, beaten by Bayern Munich in last season's final, also face a tricky match away at Eintracht Frankfurt, who ran riot in a 6-3 win over Cologne at the weekend.

MSV Duisburg, beaten 4-0 at Bayern Munich on Saturday, will return to the scene of the crime when they face Bayern's ground-sharing partners TSV 1860 Munich tomorrow.

Bottom club Nuremberg host Dynamo Dresden today, while tomorrow Stuttgart are away at Hansa Rostock in other potential upsets.

Holders Bayern are away at second division Erzgebirge Aue tomorrow.