Dusseldorf - Rene Adler faces a baptism of fire as Germany goalkeeper in an important World Cup qualifier against Russia on Saturday.

"I am looking forward to the game, this is the highlight of my career," the 23-year-old Bayer Leverkusen player Adler on Friday told a news conference.

Goalkeeper coach Andreas Koepke expressed the full faith of the coaching staff in the uncapped Adler ahead of Saturday's game in front of 70,000 in Dortmund.

"We believe in his ability. Rene will play a super match. I am fully convinced that he will show the same performance as in the Bundesliga," said Koepke.

Adler got the nod ahead of uncapped Tim Wiese of Werder Bremen after first-choice Robert Enke fractured his hand during training on Wednesday.

The Hanover 96 man Enke underwent surgery on Friday and will be sidelined for the rest of the year. Enke became first-choice goalkeeper when Jens Lehmann retired after the Euro tournament, playing in all three Germany games until his injury.

For several decades, Germany have had at least two experienced goalkeepers in their squads, with Lehmann for instance an understudy to Oliver Kahn for many years.

Adler made his Bundesliga debut in February 2007 when Hans-Joerg Butt was suspended. He was an instant hit and has been first choice in Leverkusen ever since.

Along with Schalke 04's Manuel Neuer and Wiese, Adler forms a new generation of goalkeepers in Germany after the retirement of Lehmann and long-time number one Kahn.

Adler was part of Germany's Euro 2008 squad but didn't play at the tournament in Austria and Switzerland where Germany lost the final against Spain.

He missed the start of the Bundesliga season and the last three Germany games with a shoulder injury, only returning for the Russia game where he was originally expected to be on the bench.

Germany are coming off a 3-3 draw against Finland and can not afford to drop points against the Euro semi-finalists Russia as only the group winner qualifies directly for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

The defence looked shaky against Finland and, together with Adler, must be on full alert against the speedy Russians led by Andrei Arshavin.

"The team is well prepared," said captain Michael Ballack, who also expressed full confidence in Adler. "It is bad news for Robert but it is also an opportunity for Rene."