Schalke will not have Mark Uth against Union Berlin

GELSENKIRCHEN, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 09: Mark Uth of FC Schalke 04 looks on during the Bundesliga match between FC Schalke 04 and Fortuna Duesseldorf at Veltins-Arena on November 9, 2019 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
GELSENKIRCHEN, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 09: Mark Uth of FC Schalke 04 looks on during the Bundesliga match between FC Schalke 04 and Fortuna Duesseldorf at Veltins-Arena on November 9, 2019 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images) /
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FC Schalke 04 already knew they would be without Alessandro Schopf for another week, but they can add another attacker to their injury list for Matchday 13.

On Friday night, FC Schalke 04 will play host to Bundesliga newcomers Union Berlin at the Veltins Arena. Currently in 11th place, Union have been one of the league’s biggest surprise teams and are coming off an upset victory over table-toppers Borussia Monchengladbach, having beaten Marco Rose’s side 2-0.

Schalke manager David Wagner already had to plan for another match without wide man Alessandro Schopf, and he recently informed reporters that out-of-form striker Mark Uth will be unable to play against Union.

Uth suffered an adductor injury last week during Schalke’s 2-1 win over Werder Bremen, though Wagner hopes the German international will be able to return next week against Peter Bosz’s talented Bayer Leverkusen side.

While Uth is a talented striker, he’s never had any sort of success in Gelsenkirchen since joining the club from Hoffenheim last season. He’s honestly been awful lately, missing a sitter against Fortuna Dusseldorf and providing zero impact again last week in the win over Werder.

Schalke have received breakout performances from Belgian striker Benito Raman, who can excel at any forward position. Either Rabbi Matondo or Ahmed Kutucu should replace Uth in the lineup, though if Schalke want to play Raman in a more supporting attacking role, they could ask underwhelming – but experienced – striker Guido Burgstaller to start.

Uth’s injury hurts Die Knappen’s depth, but it isn’t a major injury by any means. Schalke have talented young strikers who deserve more playing time, and Uth’s absence could be a chance for one of them to break out alongside Raman, who is a man on a mission.

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That said, Burgstaller looks like the safest and most likely option to start, so while fans want to see more of Kutucu, it’s hard for them to get their hopes up.

The Royal Blues are fully expected to pick up all three points at home against Union, though Wagner and his team know a win won’t be easy against this stingy and steadily improving side.