Hamburg keen on Pole

High flying Hamburg are hot on the heels of Bayer Leverkusen's Polish international Jacek Krzynowek.

Hamburg are keen to bring in a left sided defender following Thimotee Atouba's involvement with Cameroon in the African Cup of Nations.

With on-loan Tottenham defender Reto Zeigler now moving to Wigan, Hamburg coach Thomas Doll is in desperate need of defensive cover.

Krzynowek seems to be the ideal solution, after becoming unsettled at the BayArena following a fall-out with Bayer's new coach Michael Skibbe.

The 29-year-old is eager to move on and play first team football in order to cement his place in Poland's squad for the World Cup finals.

Leverkusen have indicated that they are willing to discuss the transfer of the player who does not figure in their first team plans.

Hamburg are currently second in Die Bundesliga, six points behind leaders Bayern Munich.