The 26-year-old German international striker had thought he would miss the game after suffering a recurrence of a left foot injury at a winter training camp in Portugal.
However, Solbakken said the veteran of two World Cups - their leading scorer with 14 goals this season - had come through a training match on Tuesday and was considered fit enough to turn out on Saturday.
"Podolski isn't suffering anymore. I foresee starting him on Saturday as well as Milijoe Novakovic," said the coach.
Podolski didn't score in the practice match - played between a first choice side and the reserves - whereas Slovenian international Novakovic did, giving him some consolation after a long absence through injury.
Cologne are presently 11th in the table, just five points above the relegation zone.
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