Florian Fromlowitz has the unenviable task of standing in the Hannover goal just over 10 days Robert Enke took his own life.

The trip to Schalke will be Hannover's first game since Enke's death and Fromlowitz has every reason to be particularly emotional.

"He was like a teacher to me," the 23-year-old said.

"We didn't talk much, but I learnt a lot from him.

"I have not lost a rival, I have lost a friend."

Fromlowitz was sent home to be with his family when the news of Enke's death broke and he avoided the media spotlight until earlier this week when he returned to training with his team mates and, courageously, spoke with the press.

And he gave a very confident impression ahead of what is bound to be the toughest moment of his fledgling career.

"Robert is always going to be the number one and I am playing for him," he said.

"I know that he will be up there watching down on us.

"But life must go on. We are playing a sport that Robert loved and we want to be successful.

"We have got to face up to this situation and show our strength."

Schalke had offered to postpone the game if Hannover did not feel up to returning to action so soon after Enke's funeral last Sunday, but the Lower Saxony side chose instead to play at the Arena AufSchalke.

And it was also their expressed wish that Schalke take this game as seriously as any other.

"I have been in constant contact with the management in Hannover since last week and we have agreed that we want to get back to normal as much as possible," said Schalke manager Felix Magath.

"All the players should push themselves to the limit and be very engaged.

"I think that will also help Hannover to get over this tragic event."