Lehmann set for Stuttgart return

Jens Lehmann should return to the Stuttgart goal for their trip to unbeaten Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday.

The former Germany international was dropped for the midweek DFB-Pokal tie with Lubeck as a disciplinary measure after he attended Munich’s Oktoberfest without consent last Saturday, only hours after his side had lost 2-0 to Cologne.

A meeting yesterday between the 39-year-old, coach Markus Babbel and director of sport Horst Heldt resulted in him being reinstated to the first-team squad.

“Jens has realised that he did not respect his duties as a role model,” Heldt told the club’s official website.

“Therefore, as far as we are concerned, this issue has been dealt with.”

Lehmann’s place in Babbel’s starting XI is not guaranteed, though, since he is currently recovering form a chest injury he picked up in training earlier this week so Sven Ulreich, who deputised in the 3-1 cup victory, remains on standby.

Frankfurt arrive in neighbouring Baden-Wurttemberg bidding to maintain their unbeaten start to the season which has seen them go eight competitive matches without defeat since Michael Skibbe took charge in the summer.

However, they will be without central defender Aleksandar Vasoski, who broke his ribs in the dramatic 6-4 cup win over Alemannia Aachen on Wednesday.

Maik Franz, who himself has just recovered from a rib injury, should take his place while Ioannis Amanatidis is back in the squad and is challenging Nikos Liberopoulos for a place in the starting XI.

Babbel hopes to also welcome Alexander Hleb back into his team after he missed the last two games due to a muscular problem.