High hopes for Drogba and Sneijder at Galatasaray

Schalke 04's Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (front) gestures during a training session at Turk Telekom Arena in Istanbul, Feb 19, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

Schalke have been boosted by striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar's recovery from an eye injury.

"I feel 100 percent again and am ready to play," said the Dutch forward. "I had no problems in training and am ready for Istanbul."

His return could not have come at a better time for the club and coach Jens Keller, with Schalke in an extended rut with just one win in 11 games in the Bundesliga despite topping their Champions League group.

Keller took over from Huub Stevens before the winter break but has so far failed to turn their fortunes around.

Schalke are also missing a half dozen key players, including central defender Kyriakos Papadopoulos and forwards Ibrahim Afellay and Ciprian Marica.

New signing Michel Bastos, who struck twice in their 2-2 draw at Mainz 05 at the weekend, will bring much-needed stability and experience to the Schalke squad.

"I knew of Schalke's quality even before my transfer," said the Brazilian. "The team is capable of solving the current problems it faces."

Probable teams:

Galatasaray: 25-Fernando Muslera; 26-Semih Kaya, 13-Dany Nounkeu, 27-Emmanuel Eboue, 11-Albert Riera; 4-Hamit Altintop, 8-Selcuk Inan, 10-Felipe Melo; 14-Wesley Sneijder, 17-Burak Yilmaz, 12-Didier Drogba

Schalke: 34-Timo Hildebrand; 4-Benedikt Hoewedes, 12-Marco Hoeger, 23-Christian Fuchs, 32-Joel Matip; 9-Michel Bastos, 13-Jermaine Jones, 17-Jefferson Farfan, 31-Julian Draxler, 33-Roman Neustaedter; 25-Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.