Bayern coach sees Hashemian as alternative for starting lineup

IRNA - Bayern Munich coach Felix Magath views reserve forward Vahid Hashemian as a real "alternative" for his starting lineup for Saturday's Bundesliga match against Hansa Rostock after Bayern's frontline attacking department has been hit by injuries to key players, the press reported Wednesday.

Almost all Bayern strikers among them Roy Makaay, Paulo Guerrero, and Alexander Zickler are currently sidelined by injuries.

Meanwhile Hashemian's closest rival for the starting forward post, Paraguay's Roque Santa Cruz, returned to practice after recuperating from an injury.

Hashemian, whose current contract with Bayern ends in summer of 2007, has not lived up to the high expectations following his two million euro transfer from VfL Bochum last summer.

Bayern has announced its readiness to sell the disgruntled Iranian striker at the end of this season.

The former Pas player has attracted interest from Turkish first division club Fenerbahce and several German Bundesliga teams, including VfL Bochum, Hertha Berlin, Borussia Moenchengladbach, and second-division team FC Cologne.