Xabi Alonso confirmed that Florian Wirtz has recovered from injury and will be fit to start against lowly Union Berlin in the Bundesliga on Saturday.

The 21-year-old, who has scored nine goals and delivered 10 assists in the Bundesliga, was sidelined with an ankle ligament injury in early March. 

HIs return could not have come soon enough for second-place Leverkusen, who are six points behind Bayern Munich with six matches left this season.

"Flo is back fit, he is in the squad, he can play, also from the start and that's very good," Alonso told a press conference.

"We are a better team with Florian. We have better connections between the lines. He is the player who makes the difference for us."

Reigning champions Leverkusen have 62 points and are running out of time to catch Bayern, who also beat them in the Champions League last 16.

Leverkusen have won five of their last six Bundesliga games (L1) – no side has recorded as many victories and claimed as many points (15) since the start of matchday 23.

They also have a fine record against Berlin, losing just once to them in 11 previous Bundesliga meetings (W6 D4). At home against them, Leverkusen are unbeaten, winning three and drawing two of those meetings and scoring 14 goals in such games.

Leverkusen are given just a 3.7% chance of retaining their Bundesliga title by the Opta supercomputer, with Bayern the overwhelming favourites at 96.3%.

Alonso said there was no point looking at the table because it was clear his team needed to win all their remaining matches to have any chance of winning the title.

"It is our task to put pressure on them [Bayern] and then we will see what happens," Alonso said.

If Leverkusen beat Berlin, they would move three points behind Bayern, who do not face Borussia Dortmund in the Klassiker until later on Saturday.

Bayern have a busy schedule with a trip to Inter next week for their Champions League quarter-final second leg after losing the first 2-1 at home.

"Our goal is to win all the matches," Alonso said. "We know this is our only chance.

"We're taking it one game at a time and see what comes out of it. We want to win tomorrow. We want to do our bit."