USA compatriots Bobby Wood and John Brooks line up on opposing sides when Hannover welcome Wolfsburg to the HDI-Arena on Friday (kick-off: 8.30pm CET/7.30pm GMT/3.30pm ET).
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Wood has scored twice since moving to Hannover on loan from Hamburg in the summer, with both goals coming in the Reds' only win of the 2018/19 campaign, against rock-bottom VfB Stuttgart on Matchday 7. Although the Honolulu has fired a blank in his last three, he has been called up to the USA squad for friendlies against England and Italy, and should lead the line on Matchday 11. Goalkeeper Michael Esser and midfielder Linton Maina are expected back, but defender Felipe is unlikely to feature after picking up an injury in the 3-1 defeat to Schalke, while striker Niclas Füllkrug is a doubt. Mixed news for a Hannover side - 16th after 10 matches - in need of a positive result to avoid the possibility of going into the November international break in last place.
Brooks has also been called on by the USA, the Wolfsburg defender having played every single minute of Wolfsburg's Bundesliga campaign so far. The former Hertha Berlin man put in a typically valiant showing last time out as the Wolves succumbed to a 1-0 home loss to leaders Borussia Dortmund - a result that means Bruno Labbadia's side have won only one of their last eight Bundesliga matches. Swiss forward Renato Steffen is battling to be fit after picking up a knock against Dortmund, as is Admir Mehmedi, who missed out altogether on Matchday 10. Midfield duo Josuha Guilavogui and Ignacio Camacho remain sidelined.
Match stats
Wood is poised to make his 61st Bundesliga appearance.
After Wood, Hannover have four other players on two goals this season: Ihlas Bebou, Füllkrug, Florent Muslija and Hendrik Weydandt.
Weydandt, who scored against Schalke on Matchday 10, was playing for 1. FC Germania Egestorf/Langreder in the fourth division last season.
Brooks has one goal and one assist in 900 minutes of Bundesliga action this season. The American has been booked three times.
Wout Weghorst is Wolfsburg's top scorer this season, with four goals overall - three of which have come in his last five appearances.
Wolfsburg are unbeaten against Hannover in their last eight games in all competitions (W5, D3). The last time Hannover beat the Wolves was back in the 2013/14 season, when they did the double over the 96ers.
Probable line-ups
Hannover: Esser – Elez, Wimmer, Anton (c), – Korb, Walace, Maina, Albornoz – Haraguchi, Wood, Bebou
Absentees: Felipe (muscular), Hübers, Prib (both knee)
Coach: Andre Breitenreiter
Wolfsburg: Casteels (c) – William, Brooks, Tisserand, Roussillon – Arnold, Rexhbecaj, Gerhardt – Ginczek, Weghorst, Brekalo
Absentees: Azzaoui (knee), Camacho (ankle), Guilavogui (knee), Klaus (ankle)
Coach: Bruno Labbadia