Hannover goalkeeper Robert Enke has been handed the number one jersey for Germany's friendly against Belgium.
Hannover ace gets number one jersey
Hannover goalkeeper Robert Enke has been handed the number one jersey for Germany's friendly against Belgium on Wednesday.
DFB goalkeeping coach Andreas Kopke announced the decision on Monday to give the custodian the first chance to establish himself as his country's number one following the retirement of Jens Lehmann.
"Robert Enke is an experienced and respected Bundesliga player who has shown his ability for years and can be completely relied upon," Kopke told the German press.
"Wednesday will give him the chance to prove his worth in the national team."
Enke, who has benefited from an injury to rival Rene Adler, expressed his delight at the opportunity, saying: "I am looking forward to being able to play in the match on Wednesday. I hope that we will start the new international season successfully."
German coach Joachim Low has five big names including captain Michael Ballack missing from the match-up with Belgium.
"On one hand I'd be happy of course to have the entire team. On the other hand we can try out a few things," Low said ahead of Wednesday's game in Nuremberg.
"Some players who were not first choice will get a chance," he said.
Ballack and two other midfielders, starter Torsten Frings and newcomer Jermaine Jones, have pulled out with various injuries, as well as defenders Arne Friedrich and Per Mertesacker.
Low said defender Heiko Westermann will also be in the starting line-up - he was in the European Championship squad but did not play. Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Simon Rolfes is likely to start.
