Werder Bremen head coach Viktor Skripnik has claimed that his side are in better shape to avoid relegation following a morale-boosting winter break.

Skripnik's side are just two points off the bottom of the table, but he believes that friendly wins over Borussia Monchengladbach and Hannover in recent weeks are proof they are heading in the right direction.

"I'm really looking forward to getting back into action - we're all very excited," the Bremen boss told reporters.

"We've pulled together and we're looking more united. We've scored plenty of goals in our warm-up matches and found plenty of solutions.

"We've now got to win in the league because that would make the next weeks much easier for us."

Bremen host Hertha Berlin on Sunday afternoon.