FC Schalke 04 currently has the second-worst defense in the league with 32 goals conceded. At least there is good news for the miners in terms of personnel. Central defender Sepp van den Berg is expected to return soon after a long lay-off due to injury.

Actually, Sepp van den Berg should compensate for the departure of Ko Itakura. However, the 20-year-old Dutchman, brought on loan from Liverpool, has only been able to play four Bundesliga games. He then fell out from matchday nine due to a torn ligament in his ankle. However, there is great hope for Schalke that the defensive talent can be used again at the start of the second half of the season. Sports director Peter Knäbel said in a media round on Friday afternoon that van den Berg could return to team training earlier than expected.

The young defender was last in England, where he completed his rehabilitation. However, the Dutchman has now traveled to Gelsenkirchen to be examined by the Schalke team doctor. The Royal Blues are now hoping that the positive signs will intensify. "As the news from England has been so far, he seems to be before the original recovery period. He has a high value for the second phase of the season," announced Knäbel. According to the WAZ, Schalke originally assumed that van den Berg would be far will be canceled in 2023. Now everything sounds a little more positive, although we probably only after the examinations by team doctor Dr. Patrick Ingelfinger could find out more about downtime. FC Schalke will start the second half of the season in Frankfurt on January 21st. Whether with or without van den Berg remains questionable.

This article was originally published on 90min.com/de as Hope for Schalke: Important update at van den Berg.