Andreas Luthe could move into VfL Bochum’s goal against RB Leipzig. It would be the first time since 2009.

It is still unclear who will be in goal when VfL Bochum host RB Leipzig at home on Saturday afternoon (3.30pm, RS live ticker). One thing is clear: for the first time this season, it will not be Manuel Riemann.

The regular keeper picked up his fifth yellow card last week and is now suspended. Coach Thomas Letsch has the choice between Niclas Thiede and Andreas Luthe as a replacement. There is much to suggest that veteran Luthe will take Riemann’s place.

After all, he was signed in the winter to be prepared for such situations. Unlike Thiede, Luthe has already made numerous appearances in the Bundesliga – including for VfL Bochum. Most recently in 2009.

Born in Velbert, he has already played 169 competitive matches for VfL – but only three of them in the top flight. In the 2009/10 season, the now 36-year-old was promoted from the second team to the professional squad, where he slotted in behind regular goalkeeper Philipp Heerwagen

When Heerwagen suffered a broken jaw in the fall, Luther’s time had come. He made his debut in the away match at 1. FC Nürnberg – and celebrated a successful debut. VfL won and did not concede a goal (1:0). The following week, Bochum picked up a point against Wolfsburg (1:1), only then did Luthe suffer his first defeat: a 2:0 loss against Borussia Dortmund.

The Revier duel remained his last Bundesliga appearance for VfL to this day. Heerwagen returned to goal after his injury and Bochum were relegated at the end of the season. Luthe became a regular keeper in Bundesliga 2. He stayed until 2016, then moved to FC Augsburg and returned to his home club via Union Berlin and 1. FC Kaiserslautern in the winter.

Luthe made 87 further Bundesliga appearances over the course of time. After a break of over 14 years, he is now set to make his fourth appearance for VfL Bochum. Do you know?