The door is ajar for Robbie Kruse to gain a start in Bayer Leverkusen's Champions League clash with Manchester United this week.
The Australian winger is a chance to be involved on the right side of midfield when Sami Hyypia's men host United at BayArena in their crucial fifth group stage fixture on Wednesday.
Regular starter Sidney Sam has been ruled out with a torn quad muscle sustained in the weekend's 1-0 Bundesliga victory at Hertha Berlin meaning Kruse will be considered to play.
However, Jan Hegeler came on to replace Sam when he was forced off inside five minutes while Kruse was a late second-half sub for Heung-min Son on the left wing.
Bayer currently sit second in Group A, one point behind United, and two clear of third-place Shakhtar Donetsk who meet bottom of the table Real Sociedad.
