Stuttgart facing keeper crisis

Stuttgart have been left without an experienced goalkeeper after an injury crisis.

Stuttgart have been left without an experienced goalkeeper after number two Dirk Heinen picked up an injury on Sunday.

With regular first choice Timo Hildebrand suffering from an ankle injury, Heinen played in Stuttgart's 2-0 loss at Hertha Berlin on Saturday only to pick up a serious Achilles tendon injury himself during training on Sunday.

The 35-year-old will now be out of action for the rest of the season and, with Hildebrand struggling for fitness, VfB coach Armin Veh could well be forced to give a Bundesliga debut to the club's reserve team goalkeeper Michael Langer.

Next on the horizon for Stuttgart is a tough date against in-form Nurnberg at the weekend.