Schalke coach David Wagner has confirmed that Alexander Nübel is still the club's first-choice goalkeeper, despite agreeing a summer move to Bayern Munich.

Nübel missed four games through suspension between Matchdays 16-19, during which time he confirmed he would not be renewing his contract and went on to sign a deal to join Bayern at the end of 2019/20. The 23-year-old was subsequently stripped of the captaincy, though Wagner said the decision was "mutually agreed as the best way forward for the team".

Markus Schubert deputised in his absence, before Nübel made his return in the goalless draw with Hertha Berlin on Matchday 20. Schubert was ruled out because of injury, but there is a strong suggestion Nübel would have started regardless.

"Everyone knows who was in goal during the first half of the season, and I think everyone knows how we should continue," Wagner explained prior to the Hertha game. "And that's how it'll be until further notice. [As for when Alex leaves] I'll cross that bridge when we come to it."

Schalke currently have two of the best young German goalkeepers around in Nübel and Markus Schubert (l-r.). - TEAM2 via www.imago-images.de/imago images/Team 2

Nübel joined Schalke from Paderborn in August 2015, but it wasn't until the start of the 2018/19 Rückrunde that he became the club's No.1.

The Germany U21 replaced Benjamin Stambouli as captain following Wagner's appointment in the summer, and has gone on to keep five clean sheets - conceding 18 goals in 16 league matches - as part of a Schalke team firmly in the hunt for the European qualification places.

Nübel will officially join Bayern on a five-year deal on 1 July 2020. He is widely seen as Manuel Neuer's long-term successor for club and country.

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