Schalke have run into a major injury crisis ahead of Saturday's Bundesliga match against Borussia Monchengladbach and their first Champions League tie at Chelsea on Wednesday, with most of their defenders ruled out and star midfielder Julian Draxler also a doubt.
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Centre-back Joel Matip became the latest addition on Schalke's injury list when he ended training early on Wednesday, and kicker reports that adductor problems are likely to rule him out for two weeks.
The Royal Blues' defence is already without left-back Sead Kolasniac -- who tore his anterior cruciate ligament in August -- and Felipe Santana and Jan Kirchhoff, with the latter duo nursing minor injuries but unable to feature in the near future.
Individual training for #Draxler, @barnettafan and #Sobottka on Wednesday. #S04 pic.twitter.com/tV939bLMHG
- FC Schalke 04 (@s04_en) September 10, 2014
Japan international Atusto Uchida said earlier this week he is no longer in pain after ongoing knee problems, but has not played a minute of football since the World Cup.
Schalke play away to Monchengladbach at the weekend before travelling to Stamford Bridge next week for their first match of this year's Champions League campaign.
With a complete defensive line currently not available, coach Jens Keller can at least bank on goalkeeper Ralf Fahrmann, who has been struggling with an ear injury suffered in their 1-1 draw against Bayern Munich a fortnight ago.
The 25-year-old keeper has been in excellent form in the past few months, and is not worried about the upcoming weeks despite the recent streak of injuries.
"Injuries are part of professional sports," he told the club's official website. "It's a bit annoying that we have to do with quite a few players right now. But regardless it's all within the limits and is a bit exaggerated by the public.
"We have many good players in the squad. We had a similar situation last season, and other players stepped into the spotlight. That's why I am relaxed about the upcoming weeks."
The Royal Blues are already missing long-time absentees Leon Goretzka, Jefferson Farfan and Fabian Giefer, and -- for the Gladbach game at least -- face the prospect of having to do without midfield duo Draxler and Max Meyer.
The latter has missed recent training sessions with a cold, and the former suffered a muscle injury in Germany's 4-2 friendly defeat to Argentina match last week -- but Draxler told kicker he has "a good feeling" that he will be fit in time for the Chelsea match.