Mainz vs Wolfsburg preview - No time to relax for Hecking

Wolfsburg coach Dieter Hecking has warned his side they cannot sit back and relax with all still to play for in the Bundesliga.

With an 11-point cushion over fourth-placed Bayer Leverkusen with nine games of the season remaining, the Wolves' place in the Champions League next season appears to be secured.

Hecking does not see it that way, however, and just three days after seeing his side book their place in the quarter-finals of the Europa League, he has called on his side to roll up their sleeves once again.

"We've got to get back into normal service," he said. "We're far from through yet.

"11 points may sound good, but there are still 27 to be played for this season and that's a lot.

"We want to prevent our rivals from catching up with us and to do that, we want to get more points."

Hecking's men will have the chance to sit back a little after Sunday's trip to Mainz with an international break giving many of his players a breather.

The Wolfsburg coach may opt to bring that break forward for a few of his players, although he says he wants to see first what shape they are in in the final training session ahead of the match.

The game marks Andre Schurrle's return to the club where he launched his career.

"All of us in Mainz know what Andre Schurrle is capable of," said Mainz coach Martin Schmidt.

"He is and remains a world class player, even if he may be having a few problems settling in following his transfer."

Schurrle is not the only player causing Schmidt concern with the Mainz coach trying to hatch a plan to keep Kevin De Bruyne out of danger also.

"He's an extraordinary player," he said. "He's very complex and intelligent and at the very top level in Europe.

"He's involved in practically all of Wolfsburg's goals directly or indirectly. He sees gaps that you only notice once he's already sent the ball there."

Nevertheless, Schmidt says his side "have got to look forward to games like this" and not be afraid.