Ex-Germany goalkeeper Tim Wiese, who has been carving out a wrestling career, says he could still play in the Bundesliga after making a cameo appearance in the German eighth division.

More than four years after his last Bundesliga appearance, the ex-Werder Bremen and Hoffenheim 'keeper ran out for north Bavarian minnows SSV Dillingen in Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Haunsheim in a regional league derby.

Since retiring from football in September 2014, the 35-year-old has packed muscle onto his 6ft 4ins (1.93m) frame and made his wrestling debut in a WWE event in Munich last November under the nickname 'The Machine'.

But Wiese again laced up his football boots and his one-off appearance was a favour to his friend Christoph Nowak, who is Dillingen's chairman.

Instead of the usual 60-strong crowd for a Dillingen home game, around 2,000 turned up to watch Wiese, who made six Germany appearances and was part of the squad which came third at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

The ex-Germany star was still signing autographs an hour after the final whistle.

Dillingen can expect a bumper five-figure pay-out from gate revenues from Wiese's appearance, but he did not rule out a Bundesliga return.

"In the first training session, I thought 'why did I stop (playing) so early?," admitted the self-confident Wiese in his pink goalkeeping kit.

"For my first game back, that was okay, you should never say never. I could easily still play in the Bundesliga."

He showed his competitive spirit by marching off the field annoyed at conceding two goals from Haunsheim's forward Robin Hoerdegen.

"He wanted to win the thing (the match) and is just pissed off about it. It's a pity it didn't work out," said Dillingen boss Nowak.

Wiese took his brief comeback seriously, diving for saves, bantering with the crowd, argued with the referee and engaged in trash-talk with his opponents.

"The fire burns within me, but today unfortunately we were caught napping," he admitted after the defeat.