Stuttgart coach Christian Gross expects to have Jens Lehmann in goal against Mainz, despite his differences with the club.

The 40-year-old criticised the club's board for giving in to the pressure from the fans to sack Markus Babbel last weekend and he has been given a club record fine, believed to be around 40,000 euros, for his "damaging" remarks.

"Everybody is allowed to criticise and is entitled to their opinion, but this should be done internally," said the club's president Erwin Staudt.

"The remarks made by Jens Lehmann were damaging to the club and we cannot tolerate that.

"Therefore, we have decided to send him a written warning and, in addition, fine Mr Lehmann."

However, the former Arsenal player told the Bild newspaper that he would not accept the fine, adding that he has "given the board my reasons".

But Gross does not expect any consequences on the field having taken Lehmann to one side to discuss the issue with him.

"I am certain that he will play well against Mainz," said the Swiss coach.

And that is what Gross expects from all of his players after a dream start to life in charge of the club in midweek with a 3-1 win over Unirea Urziceni to qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League.

"We have now got to win games and we want to start on Sunday in Mainz," he said. "I expect a hungry team.

"We have got to be efficient and victorious."

Mainz coach Thomas Tuchel was happy to see Stuttgart perform so well on Wednesday as it makes his job a little easier.

"I don't have to tell anybody now that there is more potential in Stuttgart than their league position suggests," he said.

"Maybe that victory is really good. It was blatant how much power and belief Stuttgart had."

Tuchel is able to count on Aristide Bance to lead his side's attack after the German Football Association (DFB) chose not to suspend him but only give him a fine for showing an opponent the middle finger last weekend.

Therefore, he is set to name an unchanged side while Gross will have to make one change since Serdar Tasci is suspended. Georg Niedermeier should take his place.