Cologne welcomes Podolski back
Cologne's fans will get the chance to welcome back Lukas Podolski after a three-year absence when they host defending champions Wolfsburg. The Germany international has remained a hero in Cologne, despite leaving them to join Bayern Munich in the summer of 2006.
And the 24-year-old is excited at the reunion at the Mungersdorfer Stadion after rejoining from Bayern.
"If nothing happens on Friday, then I can play," he told the Express newspaper.
"The anticipation is immense. The cup tie in Emden was a competitive game, but this is something different.
"The stadium is full, there will be a great atmosphere and I am really looking forward to it."
Podolski has warned the fans not to expect too much from him and the rest of the team, which also includes Portugal internationals Maniche and Petit, this season.
He said: "Many people are expecting miracles, but it is going to be a tough year.
"People should not take that the wrong way, but I have said that it is not going to be easy. The second year in the top flight is always difficult."
The meeting with Wolfsburg ought to give Cologne a good indication of where they lie in the Bundesliga pecking order.
The Wolves began the defence of their title with a convincing 2-0 win over Stuttgart last weekend and Armin Veh's side are already looking like championship material.
Veh has managed to keep the squad which won the title intact, and he has added to it with Obafemi Martins.
"I will try and score as many goals as possible," he declared on his official presentation this week.
He first has to break up last season's record-breaking strike-partnership of Edin Dzeko and Grafite, but he is convinced "everybody will get their chances".
Veh has confirmed that the former Newcastle and Inter Milan striker is fit and ready to make his debut tomorrow, if required.
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