Sami Hyypia has kept faith with the out-of-position Emre Can at left-back despite the player's struggles in his side's 5-0 defeat to Manchester United.

In attack, Jens Hegeler continues to support striker Stefan Kiessling in the absence of winger Sidney Sam.

For the visiting Nuremberg, Robert Mak has to settle for a place on the bench with Markus Feulner taking his place on the right flank.

Bayer: Leno; Donati, Wollscheid, Spahic, Can; Bender, Rolfes, Castro; Hegeler, Son, Kiessling

Nuremberg: Schafer; Chandler, Nilsson, Pogatetz, Plattenhardt; Frantz; Feulner, Hasebe, Kiyotake, Hlousek; Drmic