Koln vs Borussia Dortmund - Batshuayi can kick-start Dortmund’s season

Striker Michy Batshuayi can prove himself a “dangerous player” and help kick-start Borussia Dortmund’s Bundesliga campaign, according to head coach Peter Stoger.

Belgium international Batshuayi joined Dortmund on loan until the end of the season after the German side eventually sanctioned the transfer of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Arsenal.

Stoger heads back to his former club Cologne on Friday night with Dortmund aiming to return to the top four having slipped down to sixth following a run of three successive draws.

Batshuayi could be handed a debut against the Bundesliga strugglers.

Stoger is in no doubt of the impact the former Marseille forward can make as he targets a place in Belgium’s 2018 World Cup squad.

“I believe we have signed a dangerous player who wants to get minutes on the pitch and wants to use his time with us to get into the national team,” Stoger said at a press conference.

“He is raring to go. It will be down to us how quickly we introduce him to the team.”

Batshuayi found himself down the pecking order with Chelsea, who went on to sign France forward Olivier Giroud from Arsenal before Wednesday’s transfer deadline.

The Dortmund coach, though, has no worries over whether the striker can hit the ground running in Germany.

“It is easier for a centre-forward than it is for another position such as a defender. Scoring goals is the most difficult job. Those who can score goals can do it at any club,” he said, quoted on the club’s official website.

Dortmund could climb to second with victory on Friday night, albeit temporarily.

Under Austrian Stoger and fellow coach Manfred Schmid, Cologne finished fifth to qualify for the Europa League before eventually departing after a poor start to the current domestic campaign.

“It’s not just an ordinary game,” said Stoger, who was appointed as successor to Peter Bosz at Dortmund not long after leaving Cologne in early December.

“I was in Cologne too long for that, I felt too comfortable there.

“(However) I am only focused on how we will approach this game and how we can get a victory.

“I want to win the match. At this stage (of the season), it is hugely important for us to get all three points.

“It would give us a bit of breathing space following the turbulent weeks we have had.”

Cologne coach Stefan Ruthenbeck, meanwhile, is determined to see his side extend their own four-match unbeaten Bundesliga run which has renewed belief at the RheinEnergieStadion.

“The pressure on our players is immense. Maybe we have something to lose now, but you can never question their effort and whether they care, because they do,” he said.