Dortmund are expected to extend his deal until 2006 and coach Matthias Sammer (pictured) seems to regard Kringe as a useful alternative should the financially struggling giants be forced to sell midfield stars such as Torsten Frings, Tomas Rosicky or Dede.
"It's only logical that Dortmund will use their option to extend my contract, because I'd be free of charge otherwise," declared the talented 21-year-old.
He left the Westfalenstadion for Cologne in 2002 and helped The Goats to win back their Bundesliga place last term.
Cologne's director of sport Andreas Rettig would like to keep the youngster, but admits that the chances are rather slim.
"The signals from Dortmund tell us that they want him back, although we'd want him to stay here," said Rettig, who is likely to discuss the matter when both sides meet for Sunday's Bundesliga encounter.
