Hertha Berlin midfielder Yildiray Basturk is delighted to have recovered in time to face former club Bayer Leverkusen this weekend.

The Turkey international's performances were instrumental in helping Bayer reach the 2002 Champions League final, although he looked set to miss Saturday's reunion with a nagging calf injury.

Basturk hailed the encounter as a "special one", but there will no room for sentiment on the pitch as Hertha look to build on their first win of the season a fortnight ago after beginning the campaign with five straight draws and a defeat.

Hertha coach Falko Gotz is putting a lot of stock in Basturk's return.

"It's great to have him back," he said.

"He and Marcelinho will certainly help us as far as midfield creativity is concerned. It will be hard for opponents to predict our attacks."

But eighth-placed Berlin will be without Billy Reina (knee), Alexander Madlung (unfit) and Marko Rehmer (doping suspension) in their quest to record their first home win of the campaign.

Leverkusen coach Klaus Augenthaler is sweating on the after-effects of the international break on his players.

Nine of the club's stars have been away with their countries for almost a fortnight, and he is prepared to rest those who have clocked up the most air miles, such as Brazilian defender Juan.

"With so many games we just need to rotate at times," Augenthaler said.

"It's what my players want. But I always have a very uneasy feeling after international breaks because you can never be sure about the players' shape."

Leverkusen will be looking to build on the 3-0 win over Hamburg, coached by former coach Klaus Toppmoller, but will be without Daniel Bierofka (back), Clemens Fritz (calf) and Radoslav Kaluzny (head injury) for the trip to Germany's capital.

However, Roque Junior has overcome a groin problem and will join skipper Jens Nowotny in defence.