Delpierre: “I hope Wolfsburg play their game!”

Matthieu, you've been out for four weeks. How optimistic can we be that you'll play a part against VfL Wolfsburg on Sunday?

I'm optimistic that I'll be involved on Sunday. We must see how the week goes but I am feeling better. I think that will be enough.

Is it difficult to return to the team after such a long injury absence?

Of course it's difficult when you haven't played for four weeks. You have to get back into your rhythm again. On the other hand, I have been able to train with the team during my time out, it just wasn't enough to be involved in the games. I think it's been good for me though.

As a result of this difficult situation in central defence, Pelle Jensen was called up from the U23 squad. What do you make of the young defender?

I haven't trained with him that much but what I did see of him against Düsseldorf looked good. He must keeping going and draw on his experience so that he can help us on Sunday, should we need him to.

The first third of the season is all but done. How do you think you're doing?

I think our position in the table is justifiable. We just haven't been consistent enough. We have played a few really good games but we have lacked something in others, particularly away from home. We find it particularly difficult against teams that don't want to get involved in the game. We know what we are capable of though. I am optimistic that in the future we can produce similar performances as we did against Hannover, Stuttgart and Schalke and if we do, we will be more consistent. The quality is there, that we have shown. We just have to show it a little more.

On Sunday, VfL Wolfsburg are the visitors in the WIRSOL Rhein-Neckar-Arena and they are side clearly capable of more than their league table spot suggests. Do you see any parallels to Hoffenheim?

There's been a lot invested in Wolfsburg and as a result, there's a great deal of expectation. They too have had a lot of new players and it always takes time for a new team to gel. Both teams resemble one another at the moment. There's no doubt though that Wolfsburg have a strong team and we must give it everything to win.

In the last few weeks in the WIRSOL Rhein-Neckar-Arena there have been spectacular games. Whether against Hannover, Fürth or Schalke, the encounters have always been emotional and impressive. Do you think Sunday will have more of the same in store?

It would definitely be great if the game turned out to be as entertaining as Schalke 04 and so long as the scoreline is 3-2 in our favour, then I'll be happy. I hope Wolfsburg try to play their game, if they do it will be an interesting encounter. If we can then show what we are capable of, and we are as aggressive and efficient as we have been in the last few games at home, then Wolfsburg will find us hard to beat.