Ralf Fährmann is training again after his injury. He may already be an option for Schalke’s away game in Karlsruhe.
After two days off over the weekend, FC Schalke 04 began preparations on Monday afternoon for the second-division away match at Karlsruher SC on Sunday (1:30 p.m./Sky). The fans who watched the public session on the pitch were also pleased to see returnee Ralf Fährmann. After his problems with the Achilles tendon, the 35-year-old goalkeeper is making progress and trained with his colleagues for the first time in several weeks.
It is therefore not out of the question that Fährmann will be back in the lineup on Sunday in Karlsruhe. But will he play? In the 2-1 defeat to Hertha BSC before the international break, goalkeeper talent Justin Heekeren was allowed to show himself for the first time in the 2nd Bundesliga. The 22-year-old did a good job with the ball at his feet, but made a gross mistake when the score was 0:2.
In addition to Fährmann and Heekeren, veteran Michael Langer (38) remains fit. Who of them will be trusted by new coach Karel Geraerts and become Schalke’s regular goalkeeper, at least until Marius Müller (30, torn tendon in adductor area) returns, seems to be completely open.
Ex-captain Danny Latza was able to participate in at least part of team training again on Monday. The 33-year-old was recently absent with groin problems. Right-back Cedric Brunner also has a sore groin, which is why he is currently unable to train.
Somewhat surprisingly, the two talented players Keke Topp and Yusuf Kabadayi were back on the pitch on Monday – because the two 19-year-olds were originally part of the squad for the German U20 national team, which will face the Czech Republic this Monday evening. However, as the two offensive players want to show themselves to the new coach, Kabadayi and Topp left the national team early.