Schalke vs Borussia Monchengladbach preview - Schalke turn to Wellenreuther

Schalke will put their faith in 19-year-old goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther for their Bundesliga clash with Borussia Monchengladbach on Friday night.

Wellenreuther was plunged into the thick of the action on Tuesday night when Fabian Giefer picked up an injury, forcing the rookie to make his debut at the Allianz Arena against Bayern Munich.

He did enough in that game, and in training, to convince Royal Blues' coach Roberto Di Matteo that he can be relied upon ahead of 35-year-old former Mainz goalkeeper Christian Wetklo, the only other fit custodian on the Gelsenkirchen club's books.

"He did a decent job against Bayern Munich after coming on," said Di Matteo.

"Timon has looked very impressive in training and shown that he is up to the task.

"The team has faith in him."

Wellenreuther can expect a testing night on his home debut with opponents Gladbach in confident mood after back-to-back wins.

"Monchengladbach are a team who don't concede very much and they are a typical counter-attacking side," added Di Matteo, whose side have started the new year with a win and a draw to position themselves just two points behind their guests on Friday night.

"They just wait for their opponents to make mistakes."

One of those was committed by Klaas-Jan Huntelaar at the weekend, resulting in a four-game ban, reduced from an initial six on appeal.

Friday night's game at the Veltins-Arena is not expected to be one attackers thrive on, however, with both coaches in agreement that it is likely to be a tight and cagey affair.

"To survive there, you need to have several plans," said Gladbach coach Lucien Favre at a press conference.

"We're going to have to be patient because Schalke are red-hot when in possession and they have many tall players among their ranks, so we've got to be on alert from set-pieces."

Ibrahima Traore is back from the African Nations Cup and he provides Favre with another option, although Andre Hahn needs another week to be fully fit again after an Achilles tendon problem.