FC St. Pauli

Lienen began with his customary review of the injury situation. "Christopher Avevor is unavailable and we'll have to wait and see about Marc Hornschuh, though there are still two days before the game," said the 63-year-old of the defenders who sat out training during the week due to muscle problems. While Cenk Sahin (bruised calf) is set to resume full training, Johannes Flum (groin strain), who according to Lienen will "hopefully be able return to training next week", and Lasse Sobiech (one-match ban) are ruled out. Lienen declined to say who of captain Sören Gonther and Philipp Ziereis will stand in for Sobiech.

In Hannover 96, a team "with one of the best squads in Bundesliga 2" come to the Millerntor on Saturday. Lienen made particular reference to the visitors' attacking qualities, which have seen them score the second highest number of goals in the league (40) behind VfB Stuttgart (41): "Hannover have an incredible range of options going forward," said Lienen, singling out 13-goal Martin Harnik, whom he referred to as a "top striker". The 63-year-old also mentioned strikers Artur Sobiech and Niclas Füllkrug (both 2) and the dangerous flank players Kenan Karaman (6), Felix Klaus (5), Uffe Bech (1), Noah Joel Sarenren Bazee (1), Iver Fossum (1) and former St. Pauli man Sebastian Maier (2). "They've all helped to put Hannover in a very good position," he added.

Asked about Hannover's strengths, Lienen mentioned their ability to win games they do not dominate, and in particular their transition play, perhaps the best in the league, and their threat from set pieces. In the 2-0 defeat in the reverse fixture the Boys in Brown fell behind from a dead ball situation when Karaman headed home a free-kick to set his side on the road to victory. "We've talked about that a lot," said Lienen. "They've scored loads of goals like that. In Salif Sané, Florian Hübner, Waldemar Anton and Martin Harnik they have a lot of players who are good in the air. For us it will be about trying not to concede corners and free-kicks close to the goal." Lienen also had words of praise for former St. Pauli keeper Philipp Tschauner: "He's having a great season. He's outstanding in one-on-ones. In the 1-0 win over 1860 Munich last week he prevented several goals in those situations."

Not conceding will be the motto against the promotion chasers on Saturday and a focused defensive performance will be needed from front to back if the Boys in Brown are to keep a clean sheet. "When you're up against teams from the top, it's important to stay solid at the back and go into the game with the utmost passion and steadfastness as a team," said Lienen, whose side will need to be fully focused in every situation of the game. "They're capable of producing a goal from nothing. We have to be prepared for that from the opening minute."

Photos: Witters