Korkut: 'Keep working hard for a win.'

Tayfun Korkut is confident: "We've put the Wolfsburg game behind us and are only looking forward," said the Leverkusen head coach at the pre-match press conference ahead of the midweek match away to SV Darmstadt. With the busy schedule of fixtures there were only three days to wait for the next chance to pick up three points. And the Werkself are definitely looking to achieve that in the game against the team at the bottom of the table.

"We can't afford to mope around with another 90 minutes in front of us. We'll keep working hard for a win," said Korkut: "That will give us a boost for the next games." Following the 3-3 draw against the Wolves on Sunday night, Bayer 04 are only three points clear of the play-off slot and Korkut is well aware of that. "We won't ignore it," said the coach but also emphasised: "As long as we see light above us then we won't look into the dark."

That's why the game at Darmstadt is so important. The Werkself will not take the bottom-of-the-table team for granted. "The opponents are organised and compact and, although they haven't had the results recently, they have had the chance to win all of those games," said Korkut. Given the situation in the table, he believes Darmstadt are not under pressure so "we’ll have to be well prepared."

Personnel update

It is unlikely that Jonathan Tah or Chicharito will be available. "We'll have to wait for the final training session before we make a decision," said Korkut. Leon Bailey is definitely an option with the head coach leaping to his defence after the much-publicised incident in Belgium. "A lot could have happened and it should serve as a warning to Leon!" Stefan Kießling is another possible for the starting eleven after his 80 minutes against Wolfsburg although Korkut is keeping his cards close to his chest.

The Werkself will have the backing of 700 fans from Leverkusen at Darmstadt.