Wolfsburg brace for life without Dzeko

Fit-again Wolfsburg defender Arne Friedrich says the Bundesliga club are ready to move on after the departure of Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko.

Dzeko completed a 27-million-pound move to Premier League club Manchester City this week and his absence is bound to cause concerns for coach Steve McLaren as he endeavours to steer Wolfsburg away from the relegation zone.

But Friedrich wished Dzeko the best and said he believes his former team-mate will do well in England.

“I think it’s quite good for all involved, because Edin wanted to be move on if it was possible,” Friedrich said.

“The discussions are now over and he has a new club and I wish him all the best. I think he will assert himself with Manchester City.”

“He has the quality and he will show how good he is. I think this means a new chapter for us without him.”

Friedrich is preparing to return from a five month lay-off with a back injury, and admits he is nervous ahead of his comeback match against Bayern Munich on Saturday.

“Naturally I’m a little anxious. I have been out for, I think, five months, and I haven’t played a game,” he said.

“I was badly injured, so I’m looking forward to the new challenge but, as I said, naturally, I’m a bit tense about my comeback.”

Friedrich also gave his backing to under-fire coach Steve McLaren, who has faced criticism with Wolfsburg winless in their last nine matches in all competitions and sitting 13th in the Bundesliga.

“In training we worked hard, we trained hard and we trained well. I think the whole team is totally behind him as coach,” Friedrich said.

“We are with him and must now just make sure that we pick up points. That is obviously important for all of us and for the coach as well, and we all want to achieve success with him.”