FC Schalke 04 plays host to VfL Bochum in the explosive Ruhr derby on Saturday. This is what S04 coach Thomas Reis has to say about the personnel and the return to his former club.

Almost six months after his release from VfL Bochum, Thomas Reis returns to Castroper Straße. The coach will play FC Schalke 04 at the Ruhrstadion on Saturday afternoon (3.30 p.m.). Due to the league constellation and Reis’ noisy farewell to VfL, the omens before the small derby could hardly be more explosive.

Schalke are in last place in the table and are on a high of form, while VfL’s curve has recently been pointing downwards. With a win, the Königsblauen would move past the Bochum side.

“It will be difficult, we know what’s coming. Bochum are incredibly strong at home, even if they are having a less successful phase at the moment. We, on the other hand, want to remain successful,” Reis said at the press conference on Thursday lunchtime.

And on his return to his long-time club, the coach added: “I am aware that people are waiting for juicy statements. The separation was very unpleasant. But at the end of the day, there is an important game coming up for us, which is clearly the priority.” He was “completely relaxed”, the 49-year-old said. “I’m looking forward to coming back. I don’t care about the reception. “

Happy for the 49-year-old: Right-back Cedric Brunner returns to the squad after breaking his nose. He will be wearing a mask and is “definitely fit for action”, said Reis.

The personnel cover on the left side of defence remains thin with the absences of Jere Uronen and Thomas Ouwejan. Most recently, Henning Matriciani defended on the defensive line. It is also conceivable that Mehmet Aydin, who most recently replaced Brunner on the right, will switch to the other side.

Winger Soichiro Kozuki, who was also absent recently, is on the up. “He’s been back in training,” said Reis, “we have to see if he’s a candidate for the squad or the starting eleven.”

Definitely absent will be the long-term injured Sebastian Polter (cruciate ligament injury), Justin Heekeren (cruciate ligament rupture), Sepp van den Berg (backlog in training) as well as captain Danny Latza (muscle injury) and Tim Skarke (foot contusion).