Cologne goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon is hoping his team-mates will follow his example in the derby against Borussia Monchengladbach.

Mondragon was the only player to emerge from Cologne's 1-0 defeat to Mainz last weekend with any credit.

Cologne coach Zvonimir Soldo said he would have "replaced all of my team apart from Mondragon" at half-time of a bitter defeat last weekend and his experienced goalkeeper has reminded his colleagues of their duty to the club.

This weekend's game is not only worth the three points that could give Cologne some breathing space at the bottom of the Bundesliga, it is also about beating their fiercest of local rivals.

"It is the game of the year for the club, the fans and obviously for us," Mondragon told his club's official website, www.fc-koeln.de.

"We need these points and have got to put Mainz right behind us and concentrate on the derby.

"Now is the right time to get three points so that we can carry on working in peace and quiet.

"In this one game, we can make good a lot of what we have done badly this season.

"For the atmosphere in the city, in the club and also in the dressing room, the three points would be very, very important."

Mondragon's place in the Cologne goal is set in stone, but many of his team-mates risk dropping to the bench tomorrow as Soldo wields the axe.

He was keeping his cards close to his chest on the eve of the game, but hinted he has "a few doubts" about who will play.

Portuguese midfielder Petit should return after suspension while Fabrice Ehret could replace Pierre Wome at full-back.

Monchengladbach have slid too close to Cologne for comfort, but their coach Michael Frontzeck is confident they will bounce back from a string of defeats to re-establish a cushion over their rivals.

"Games in Cologne have never really been like away games for me," he said.

"We have always picked up lots of points there.

"We are ready for everything and want to impose ourselves on the game."

Rob Friend is likely to return to the Gladbach attack instead of Roberto Colautti, but no other changes to the team are planned.