Jonathan Tah expects to return from a thigh injury against Cologne on Saturday. Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images

Bayer Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah warned that his club must not lose their derby against Cologne at home on Saturday because it would increase their risk of being relegated.

Leverkusen enter the game just three points clear of the relegation zone with the derby and a game away against Hertha Berlin remaining.

They have not won any of their last five Bundesliga games and have won only one of their last 11. Their lone victory was against Darmstadt, who have since been relegated, on April 5.

"We don't want to look at the standings but only win the match," Tah said, according to kicker. "We'd be safe. It wouldn't help our cause to think about it a lot. Especially before a derby."

Leverkusen have not been relegated from the Bundesliga since earning promotion to the top flight for the first time in 1979.

Ingolstadt would be relegated with a loss away against Freiburg, and claiming at least one point in the derby would likely move Leverkusen clear of the Bundesliga playoff place.

A victory by Cologne, who drew with Leverkusen on Dec. 21, would move them closer to qualification for the Europa League.

Tah, who has appeared just once since Feb. 3 because of a torn thigh muscle, and forward Julian Brandt, who sat out the last game because of his own thigh injury, both expect to be ready for Saturday.

Still a doubt is Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez, whose return on April 23 was his first appearance since sustaining a thigh injury while playing for Mexico in March. Hernandez was in the squad but did not appear in Leverkusen's last two games.

"For the crowd, for the fans, it would be very good to win -- not only because of the standings, but also because it is a derby and it is of the greatest importance for everyone who is here," Tah said. "That's why we want to pick up three points."