German Bundesliga side Schalke O4 will heavily rely on Ghana left back Baba Rahman for the upcoming season following the departure of Benedikt Höwedes.

The German club transferred one of it's longest serving members and captain of the side Benedikt Höwedes to Russian club Locomotive Moscow.

Benedikt Howedes ended a long spell with his boyhood club Schalke when he joined Lokomotiv Moscow on Tuesday.

The 30-year-old defender, who spent last season on loan at Juventus, signed a four-year contract with the Russian champions.

Meanwhile, his departure has left a big void which sporting director of the club, Christian Heidel believes will be filled by Baba Rahman.

The Sky Blues have only two left-sided defenders left, with Baba Rahman and Bastian Oczipka, the only options left.

Bastian Oczipka is injury prone and the club are even looking at a possibility of finding an alternative for the pair.

Baba Rahman returned from a long injury lay off in May and has made only one appearance in the last two season.

"So far there is only Oczipka and Abdul Rahman Baba available. It's no secret that we keep our eyes open," said Heidel.