FC Schalke get Matija Nastasic, Juan Miranda back at training

FC Schalke 04 have been dealing with some rough injury news at the center back position over the past several weeks, but they’ve received some good news with two key defenders returning to training.

Standout center back Benjamin Stambouli broke a bone in his foot in the Revierderby and will likely be out until 2020, while an even more important starter for FC Schalke 04 in Salif Sane suffered a significant knee injury early in the 3-2 win over Augsburg that will take even longer to heal.

Die Knappen will get both players back before the end of the 2019-2020 campaign, but the injuries have stretched their back line thin. Weston McKennie has been a capable center back next to Ozan Kabak, but it’s clear that playing in midfield is best for both the team and his own future development.

So that’s why it’s especially great to hear that starting-quality center back Matija Nastasic and talented fullback prospect Juan Miranda are back in training after dealing with their own significant injuries.

While Schalke have two excellent starting fullbacks in veteran Bastian Oczipka and young Everton loanee Jonjoe Kenny, fans have been excited to see more of Miranda. The Barcelona loanee has the quality to be a top player, and it’d be nice to see some of that potential in a Blue kit this season.

Nastasic’s return is more notable, though. Despite being a backup to Stambouli and Sane, Nastasic is one of the best center backs in the Bundesliga, which speaks to the Royal Blues’ elite depth at the position. In Nastasic and Kabak, Schalke could field one of the league’s top pairings despite missing their regular starters.

Schalke’s defense is the least of their problems, especially now that Nastasic is back in the fold after an Achilles’ injury. Fans will want to keep a close eye on how both players progress from injury after the November international break, because Die Knappen will face a scrappy Werder Bremen side on Saturday.