Schalke 04, which has never won the German Bundesliga title, is on the verge of collapse after managing just two points in its last four games, but it received good news this week with the return of three players to training this week.
Christian Pander, Gerald Asamoah and Gustavo Varela could all play in Saturday when Schalke hosts third-place Stuttgart (TV: Gol TV, live, 10:30 am ET). Pander has been out all season with an ankle injury. The German international Asamoah broke his leg last fall, while Varela has been out for a month with knee problems.
Stuttgart has a major injury of its own. Young star Mario Gomez is out for six weeks with a knee injury suffered in last week's 0-0 tie against Wolfsburg. To make matters worse, Gomez broke his hand, slamming the team doctor's medicine box with his hand in frustration while being treated on the field.
Second-place Werder, three points behind Schalke, plays Mainz in Sunday (no TV). Mainz has been the hottest team since the winter break, taking 17 of 24 points to move up to a tie for ninth place.