Nkunku came off the bench and made an assist in Leipzig's 3-0 win away at Wolfsburg in mid-February.

The former Paris Saint-Germain forward, who has been linked with a possible move to the Premier League in summer, has since made two appearances off the bench including the 1-1 draw with Manchester City in their Champions League Last 16 first leg match.

Rose said at his eve of match press conference he did not hold a grudge against Dortmund, who sacked him in May 2022, after just one season in charge, despite a second-placed finish.

"It is what it is. I don't have the feeling that I was negatively impacted," he said.

"Things worked out in such a way that I'm now the coach in Leipzig."

Leipzig-born Rose took over after the sacking of Domenico Tedesco in early September and has since picked up 37 points in 17 games, a better record than any other club in the Bundesliga.

Dortmund come into the match equal on points atop the Bundesliga table with Bayern Munich after a nine-match winning streak.

Leipzig sit four points back in fourth place.

"Dortmund's winning streak and the confidence that it gives them makes them very tough opponents," said Rose.

"They've put a great run together and have a lot of individual quality.

"We will need to work hard to deal with the power and the force that Dortmund have going forward."