Schalke coach Mirko Slomka must try and fill the void left by the suspension of Fabian Ernst for his fifth yellow card but, on a more positive note, Serb defender Mladen Krstajic is back following a broken rib.

Fourth-placed Bayern Munich, whose 2-2 draw at AC Milan on Tuesday has left them with one foot in the Champions League semi-finals, visit Hanover on Saturday while Werder Bremen, who drew 0-0 against AZ Alkmaar in UEFA Cup quarterfinal, first leg action on Thursday, host Nuremberg on Sunday.

Slomka must decide whether to field Halil Altintop. "Halil has been struggling with a groin injury for weeks," Slomka told the club's website. "Every time he sets off on a sprint he's in pain. It's a very tough and unpleasant situation for him.

"What's important is if he can say to us on Friday that the pain has gone. That wasn't the case on Tuesday or on Wednesday," said Slomka.

Schalke have 53 points from 27 matches to lead by two points from Werder Bremen, and by four and six points from VfB Stuttgart, who travel to Hamburg SV on Saturday, and Munich respectively.

Krstajic has had to wear a special protective suit to help his rib recover but has finally been able to train without it.

"I'm not scared," the 32-year-old said on his ditching the protection. "It's just a different feeling, that's all. I'm still being a bit careful in the tackle, but things will be very different on Saturday. At least I can breathe properly again."

Schalke's 2-0 defeat at Bayern on Saturday was a major blow to Slomka's men and it still rankles. "The main thing (against Monchengladbach) is not to concede a goal after three minutes," said Krstajic, referring to Roy Makaay's goal for Bayern.

Slomka said of the Moenchengladbach match: "Things always look cut and dried on paper. We're top and everyone else is behind us. So of course we're favourites when we play the bottom side at home."