Mainz defender Manuel Friedrich goes into Saturday's clash against Werder Bremen with no regrets about ending his injury-plagued spell at the German champions.

Friedrich joined Bremen from Mainz in the summer of 2002 but suffered a cruciate knee injury in his first game

He recovered, but then went down with the same injury again in training.

After two years, Friedrich is back at promoted Mainz and back in shape and will feature against Bremen, who are fourth in the standings - one place above his own team.

"I didn't really feel I was needed in Bremen," he said.

"Here in Mainz are my friends and my coach - it will always be my team."

The promoted outfit extended their unbeaten league run to six matches when they snatched a last-minute win at Freiburg a fortnight ago, but they may have to cope without Mathias Abel (thigh) and Niclas Weiland (groin) for the visit of the defending champions, while Michael Falkenmayer (knee) is definitely out.

Battle-weary Bremen will be pleased at the timing of the two-week international break after a physical encounter with Bayern Munich a fortnight ago.

The 2-1 defeat was full of controversy after Oliver Kahn appeared to concede a penalty when bringing Miroslav Klose down in the box but the referee waved play on.

Bremen defender Frank Fahrenhorst also suffered a broken nose in a tackle with fellow German international Michael Ballack.

Fahrenhorst is a major doubt for the trip to high-flying newcomers Mainz.

"It's up to him," coach Thomas Schaaf said. "He needs to feel confident."

Skipper Frank Baumann is set to return after a calf injury but Umit Davala (pubic bone), Kristian Listzes (cruciate ligament), Daniel Jensen (Achilles) and Gustavo Nery (hand) are all out.

Meanwhile, sports director Klaus Allofs has called on French playmaker Johan Micoud to "re-think his behaviour."

The midfielder, who apparently has no intention of learning the German language, criticised Schaaf for not backing him after a poor performance against Bayern.