Bayern Munich boss Jupp Heynckes taking nothing for granted as his side aim to extend Bundesliga lead

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Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes is taking nothing for granted as his side look to extend their 11-point lead at the top of the table as the Bundesliga returns to action following the winter break.

Heynckes was the last Bayern coach to win at Friday's opponents Bayer Leverkusen, but that was in his previous spell in charge back in 2013.

And the 72-year-old is well aware that fourth-placed Leverkusen go into the game at the BayArena on the back of a 12-match unbeaten run in all competitions.

Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes is taking nothing for granted despite strong form

'They're a young, highly talented, hungry, quick team with plenty of imagination,' Heynckes told the club's official website.

'It is a game with a lot of elements that make football attractive. It's an opening fixture that has the capability to be both thrilling and tough.

'We have to keep going and not look at the table because that doesn't win us points. Momentum stems from success.'

Goalkeeper Sven Ulreich, who will again deputise for the injured Manuel Neuer, added: 'They're dangerous opponents who break forward quickly. We have to be fully focused.'

As well as Neuer, Heynckes remains without the services of Thiago, Robert Lewandowski and Mats Hummels, although Lewandowski and Hummels have returned to training.

Bayern are flying high in the Bundesliga again and can go 11-points clear at the top

'It would be careless to risk them. Neither of them are in the squad,' added Heynckes, who said that new signing Sandro Wagner is the 'first option' to replace Lewandowski in attack.

'He's very ambitious, very disciplined,' Heynckes said. 'He's integrated very well into the squad (but) the process of integration takes longer than just two weeks.'

Winger Leon Bailey insists Leverkusen 'don't need to hide' against the league leaders and head coach Heiko Herrlich wants his team to 'charge out of the blocks' after making a slow start to the last meeting between the sides, which Bayern won 3-1.

'We're playing against a really strong team,' Herrlich added. 'The worst-case scenario is a thrashing, the best outcome is you win.'