Assan Ouédraogo’s return to the FC Schalke 04 professional team is getting closer. Blendi Idrizi is already fit again.

Assan Ouédraogo is familiar with the routine: as soon as the FC Schalke 04 professional squad has finished training, his working day begins, as has so often been the case in recent weeks. Together with rehabilitation trainer Nico Wamig, he once again entered the training ground of the Royal Blues – but he didn’t just do one lap after the other, as he did last week.

This time, the 17-year-old midfielder even worked with the ball again. Ouédraogo is making progress. However, a return to the team is still out of the question. Schalke are taking a cautious approach with the highly sought-after Ouédraogo, who could bring in millions this summer.

Idrizi back in training – Karaman ill

During the U17 World Cup in November 2023, Ouédraogo suffered a rupture of the anterior syndesmosis. Although Schalke vaguely hoped that their top talent would be able to work on the ball again at the training camp in Portugal in January, it was out of the question. Ouédraogo trained in the gym with a view of the training ground.

There were few changes to the professional squad compared to the 4-1 defeat in Kaiserslautern on Friday evening. Blendi Idrizi, who was absent from the Betzenberg due to illness, is fit again and available for the game against Eintracht Braunschweig (Saturday, 1 p.m. / Sky). Kenan Karaman is currently taking it easy due to illness, but will return to team training during the course of the week.

Kerkrade had had Müller “on their radar for a while”

Schalke’s U23 team, which plays in the regional league, has one player less. Left-footed Joey Müller (23) is moving to the Dutch second division club Roda Kerkrade. Müller played one game for Schalke’s second division team (against Holstein Kiel) in the first half of the season and scored five goals and made five assists in 23 games in the regional league. He is a left-sided midfielder, but can also play in the center.

Roda manager Rob Servais said of Müller: “He is a multifunctional left-footer that we have had on our radar for some time. He fits well into our group in terms of character, works hard and is a real team player.” For the U23s, Müller is the second departure in winter – professional goalkeeper Justin Heekeren (now Maasmechelen) played seven games for the U23s in the first half of the season.