Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes confirms Tom Starke to start in goal against Cologne
Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes has confirmed veteran Tom Starke will be in goal when the record Bundesliga champions face Cologne on Wednesday.
After coming out of retirement at the start of the season to provide back-up when Manuel Neuer was injured, Starke was called into action on Matchday 15 after Sven Ulreich was injured during the warm-up.
Watch: Vidal scored at one end, Starke frustrated Frankfurt at the other
'Completely focussed'
In his first start since May, Starke kept a clean sheet in Bayern's 1-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt, marking his 100th Bundesliga appearance in style with a clutch of important saves at the Commerzbank Arena.
With Ulreich sidelined by the adductor problem he sustained at the weekend, the 36-year-old will get another outing.
"He'll be in goal tomorrow. If he's needed, he's totally there and completely focussed," explained Heynckes, who will be optimistic of seeing his league-leading team pick up all three points at home to a Cologne side that is currently at the opposite end of the table.
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'Total faith in Ulreich'
Ulreich moved to Bayern from Stuttgart in 2015 to be number two to Neuer, and has made just 17 Bundesliga appearances for the champions.
Eleven of those have come this season, however, and his recent impressive displays have brought the fact his contract expires next summer into sharp focus.
"I have total faith in Sven Ulreich," said Heynckes of the 29-year-old. "I would recommend Bayern to begin contract extension talks as quickly as possible."