Bottom side VfB Stuttgart must show “a killer instinct” on Sunday in the battle to avoid their first relegation for 40 years, says their Germany defender Anthony Ruediger.

Stuttgart host mid-table Werder Bremen on Sunday with just one league win in 11 games dating back to mid-December, and are five points from safety with seven games to go.

The 2007 German champions are bidding to avoid their first relegation since 1975 but are enduring the worst season in the club’s proud history.

After four months out with a knee injury, Ruediger, who has five caps for Germany, is ready to help resume his side’s battle to stay in Germany’s top flight.

“Good isn’t enough. We need to run until there is nothing more left. We need to show some balls, we need the killer instinct,” said the 22-year-old.

“We need more courage and more aggression.”

Having been bottom of the table last December, Bremen are up to ninth and just four points from a European place for next season.

Following a run of five straight wins up until mid February, Bremen’s form has dipped in recent weeks with only six points from a possible 18 in their last six games.

Bremen coach Viktor Skripnik lost four kilogrammes (eight pounds) in weight due to stress when they were in the relegation zone and the Ukrainian is more concerned about the ten points his side is from the drop zone, rather than dreaming about playing in Europe next season.

“Mathematically, we are not guaranteed to stay up yet. Three points (in Stuttgart) would be good, then we can talk about other things,” said Skripnik.