Nicklas Bendtner is struggling for full fitness as a consequence of his lack of playing time in 2014, German tabloid Bild reports.
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Bendtner, 26, was a surprise signing for Wolfsburg during the summer transfer window and the paper claims that he needs to lose three kilograms in order to kickstart his Bundesliga career.
In need of attacking reinforcements, Die Wolfe appeared to be looking at the "top shelves" in Europe for a striker, but instead turned to the Denmark international, who had been out of contract following his departure from Arsenal.
He tasted his first minutes of German football last weekend, when he was brought on as a late substitute during Wolfsburg's 2-2 home draw with Eintracht Frankfurt, and played further minutes in Denmark's 2-1 defeat against Turkey on Wednesday.
"I can only play for 45 minutes. I need the match practice, and it won't return within a week," Bendtner told WAZ ahead of the friendly, in which he started for Morten Olsen's side and was substituted after 63 minutes.
"We'll see about my form against Turkey, and what that means for the qualifier against Armenia."
Following the defeat, Bendtner told reporters that he was satisfied with his return: "I think it was OK, but I can say that I am not where I'd be with regular match practice.
"But it was very good, and I had chances to score one or two goals if I got the last ball. But to play an hour under these circumstance was okay."
On Thursday, however, German tabloid Bild headlined: "Three kilos too much! New signing Bendtner needs to slim down."
The paper claimed that because of the lack of training after his Arsenal exit Bendtner had gained too much weight, and now needs to lose three kilograms to become a permanent contender for the starting lineup.
"The goal is that Nicklas is fully fit after that [international break]," the paper quoted Wolfsburg coach Dieter Hecking.
"Do you think that Nicklas Bendtner looked a bit chubby against Turkey?" the Danish paper BT asked on Thursday, citing the Bild report. "Not really," was the publication's response.