Lovenkrands and Rodriguez resume full training
16.10.2007
In Peter Lovenkrands and Dario Rodriguez Schalke coach Mirko Slomka was able to welcome back two players to training on Tuesday morning after their recent absences. Halil Altintop, Mladen Krstajic and Christian Pander are also expected to return from injury during the course of the week.
Lovenkrands was visibly delighted to be training with the rest of the team again after overcoming a back problem. And the Denmark striker was soon finding the net again in the practice match that concluded the session.
Rodriguez also clearly enjoyed his return to the training routine. The Uruguayan had spent some time in his native country for personal reasons. Brazilian defender Rafinha is also expected to resume full training on Tuesday afternoon.
Altintop, Krstajic and Pander are not expected back until the end of the week, however.
Also missing along with long-term absentees Mathias Abel, Levan Kobiashvili and Gustavo Varela were Kevin Kuranyi, Manuel Neuer, Mesut Özil and Ivan Rakitic. While Kuranyi is set to play for Germany in their European Championship qualifier against the Czech Republic on Wednesday (live on ZDF at 2045 CET), the three Schalke youngsters will be in action today.
Rakitic is in the Croatia side that will entertain Slovakia in a friendly at 1700 CET, while Neuer and Özil will be battling for points for the Germany under-21 side in their European Championship qualifier against Moldova. The game will be shown live on German sports channel DSF at 2015 CET.
