Schalke 04 manager Domenico Tedesco trusts Ghana left-back Baba Rahman to get the job done in Saturday's Bundesliga clash with Wolfsburg amid concerns about the availability of new recruit Hamza Mendyl.
The Morocco defender was recently signed by The Royal Blues to provide competition for the Black Star as the club prepares to take on the challenge of combining the German topflight with the Uefa Champions League.
Baba's impressive showing in last week's German Cup victory over Schweinfurt, however, fills Tedesco with optimism despite the likely absence of Mendyl, who is caught up in paperwork relating to his switch.
"Hamza is doing very well in the tackles after his first appearance was a bit shaky," Tedesco said at a press conference on Thursday.
"He made a positive impression and is therefore directly an option.
"Hamza has made a good impression in the first few sessions, he looks fit.
"Ahead of the Wolfsburg game, however, we are unfortunately still waiting on his documents from the embassy. But there's no worry there, as Baba Rahman did very well the last time [against Schweinfurt]."
Baba is hoping to make the left-back position at Veltins-Arena, having set sights on recapturing his glory days following his return from a long-term injury layoff.
The setback, which occurred while on international duty at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations tournament, limited him to just one league appearance for The Royal Blues last season.
He is on loan from Chelsea.
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