BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- Early last week, it seemed likely that Fire defender Arne Friedrich would make his 2013 debut in Sunday’s game against Houston.

The German defender spent the first part of the campaign rehabbing in both Chicago and Germany and had spent two weeks in full training with the team before an injury setback with his hip last Friday ruled him out of the Dynamo game.

Now, the date of his 2013 debut remains somewhat unclear.

“He jogged a bit today but we’ll see,” head coach Frank Klopas told Chicago-Fire.com “It’s probably difficult [for this weekend] but we’ll see. We’ll take it day-by-day.”

The Fire have missed Friedrich’s veteran presence through the team’s difficult 1-4-1 start but certainly most frustrated by the situation is the German defender.

“For me it’s very annoying,” he said. “I was on the field for two weeks and everything went fine except my calves got really tight all the time. All of a sudden I had a setback.

“Sometimes it’s very hard for me because the team is out there on the field and I have to go in the gym and get treatment. This is life, this is soccer and it doesn’t always go the way you’d like to have it.”

Friedrich’s veteran presence alone speaks for itself but the team’s record when he’s on the field (14-5-4) vs. when he’s not (4-8-3) is markedly different.

Even if he’s unable to play, the former German international continues to have support for his teammates and the club.

“Unfortunately I can’t promise when I’ll be back on the field. The only thing I can promise is that I’ll give everything for the club and everybody. I’d like to help as soon as possible.

“The important point is that we win on Saturday against Columbus. Its an important game for us and we know what’s at stake. We have to act as a team. The team is making progress, everybody looks sharp and I hope we’re going to get the points.”