Hamburg  - Ze Roberto believes his club SV Hamburg needs to bring in up to three new players if they are to maintain a realistic push for a first league title since 1983.

"You need a large squad and experienced players if you want to be successful. We need more players and need to buy in more quality," the midfielder told Friday's Bild Zeitung newspaper.

The Brazilian said Hamburg need "between two and three" offensive players but coach Bruno Labbadia pointed out that at the moment he could only sign players who were out of contract as the transfer window doesn't open until January.

"The question is whether players who have been unemployed for the last four months will be able to help us in any way," said Labbadia, who has lost strikers Mladen Petric and Paolo Guerrero as well as defenders Alex Silva and Collin Benjamin to longterm injuries.

Hamburg recently gave a trial to Polish striker Ebi Smolarek, who is currently without a club, but decided against retaining the player.

Despite their injury woes, Ze Roberto believes Hamburg can land the title this season.

"We have a great opportunity to win the title this season," said the 35-year-old. "I haven't come here to try my luck but to win something."

Hamburg currently lie second in the Bundesliga, level on points with leaders Bayer Leverkusen but with an inferior goal difference. (dpa)