Hertha Berlin confirm interest in Voronin

Hertha Berlin have confirmed their interest in re-signing Liverpool striker Andriy Voronin.

The Ukraine international has returned to Anfield following a season-long loan deal with the Bundesliga side, which was deemed a success.

Voronin netted 11 times for the Blue-Whites, helping them on their way to a fourth-placed finish in the league.

And with Voronin unlikely to be awarded regular first-team football by Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez a permanent move is possible.

"I have contact with Andriy, just spoken to him on the telephone," Berlin head coach Lucien Favre is quoted as saying by Bild.

"The contact was never broken off. He played excellently for us."

'We would like to have Voronin - if it was financially doable," added general manager Michael Preetz.

Elsewhere, Bayer Leverkusen have agreed a deal to sign promising midfielder Lars Bender.

The 20-year-old brother of Borussia Dortmund's Sven had been expected to spend one more season at 1860 Munich but is now set to join Leverkusen with immediate effect.

"I've already said goodbye to my team-mates, which was very hard for me," he said.

"However, I'm glad that I finally know where my future lies."

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery has suffered another injury after returning to first-team action in the Bundesliga at the weekend.

The France international is now a doubt for Bayern's trip to Mainz on Saturday after picking up a groin strain in training.

The Chelsea and Real Madrid target played 30 minutes of his side's 1-1 draw with Werder Bremen at the weekend after returning to fitness while on international duty last week.

Ribery was pencilled in to get some match practice in a friendly against Gorlitz on Tuesday, but has since been removed from Louis van Gaal's squad.