With three defeats in their past four games, Leverkusen have relinquished top spot in the table and are now five points adrift of league leaders Schalke with six games of the season to go.

But Heynckes still believes it has been a remarkable season for a club which did not even qualify for Europe last season and he remains focused on guiding them into the Champions League.

"It is extraordinary and nobody had predicted that we would be at the top of the table for 16 games," he said.

"It is not very intelligent or creative when I now hear that the team is crashing down.

"We are third in the table so where is the crash? That is a superb result and we have got to hold onto it."

Nevertheless, even Heynckes agrees that his side has lost an edge in the last few weeks and tomorrow's opponents Eintracht Frankfurt can therefore justifiably fancy their chances of doing what only a month ago nobody had been able to do - beat Leverkusen.

"If I look at our game against Schalke and then see Eintracht's last two wins, then Eintracht are favourites," he admitted.

"They have been very convincing in their last two games and obviously they have tanked up on self-confidence in the process.

"I am optimistic, but I am also a realist. Nevertheless, we will try to win there."

Heynckes should welcome Stefan Kiessling back into his side after he missed the 2-0 defeat to Schalke last weekend due to injury. He will replace Patrick Helmes.

Frankfurt coach Michael Skibbe hopes to have Pirmin Schwegler and Chris back in his side this weekend after both returned to training this week after injury.

"I am counting on them both playing," admitted Skibbe.