Lehmann says return to Bundesliga an option

 Lehmann, who has lost his place in the Arsenal first team, told Germany's Kicker magazine published Monday he would wait to see what his situation was in December.

 "The Bundesliga is always attractive and an option - perhaps even the second division," he said when asked if he could imagine moving to Germany during the Bundesliga's winter break.

 "In any case I want to be at Euro (2008), to play there was always my aim."

   Lehmann, who has just turned 38, is due to earn his 50th cap for Germany in the Euro 2008 qualifier against Cyprus in Hanover on Saturday.

 However, he has not played for Arsenal since a mistake against Blackburn Rovers on August 19. After recovering from injury he has been unable to dislodge Manuel Almunia in the Arsenal goal.

 Lehmann said Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger knew he was "highly motivated". He was training intensively every day to recapture his place in the team.

 "I want to play again soon and believe I will be be playing again. I would be very surprised if it wasn't the case," he said.

 On Sunday, Wenger said Lehmann still had plenty of time to break back into the Arsenal team before any decision needed to be made over his future.

 Lehmann, who played 10 years for Schalke 04 and won the 2002 Bundesliga title with Borussia Dortmund, signed a new 12-month contract earlier this year and will be free to talk to other clubs in January.

 Asked whether he was prepared to risk losing Lehmann, Wenger said: "If the situation is still like this in January we will see. We are still in November. November and December is plenty of time to win his place back. He is up for the challenge because he is 200 per cent professional."

   Wenger said Lehmann "has done nothing wrong" but Almunia "has been in the team and the team is doing well. It is as simple as that."

DPA