Blackburn Rovers on-loan defender, Markus Babbel, has confirmed that Schalke and Hamburg are interested in taking him back to Germany.

Babbel is spending the season on loan at Blackburn but he is contracted to Liverpool until the summer of 2006. With Liverpool reported to be prepared to sell the former German international defender, Babbel admits he is considering a return to his homeland.

“Schalke’s general manager Rudi Assauer called me shortly before Die Bundesliga resumed after the winter break and asked me about my contract,” the 31-year-old told Kicker,’ he confirmed.

“At the beginning of the season I had also be in touch with Hamburg, but I had just agreed to move to Blackburn.

“Both clubs are interesting, because they have tradition and are ambitious, but right now I haven’t made up my mind.”

“It’s very important to me that after my long-lasting injury and the two years’ break I have got the chance to play again,” he added.

“Here (Blackburn) I am allowed to commit mistakes and overall things are going okay for me.

“On the one hand I am okay with Blackburn and on the other hand I am still crazy for Liverpool as I am used to competing with the best.”