Schalke hope Jonjoe Kenny will be able to face Mainz

Schalke have been dealing with ongoing injury issues at center back, but, lately, they’ve been dealt injury blows to the midfield and right back positions.

After barely surviving in the DFB Pokal Round of 16 against Hertha Berlin, Schalke will face SC Paderborn 07 on Saturday afternoon at the Veltins Arena with a few key players questionable due to injury and starting right back Jonjoe Kenny out of the lineup.

Kenny is currently dealing with an ankle problem. The Everton loanee was therefore unavailable against Hertha Berlin both in the Bundesliga and in the Pokal. Daniel Caligiuri started at the right wing back in Kenny’s absence, but with Caligiuri out for several weeks due to an injury, Schalke have some juggling to do defensively.

They could shift to a back three, or they could move Bastian Oczipka to right back and start Barcelona loanee Juan Miranda at left back.

Whatever the case, Caligiuri’s injury means that Kenny’s absence in the lineup will be felt more strongly. According to manager David Wagner, the club hopes that the England international will be able to return next week on Matchday 22 against Mainz.

However, Wagner stated that Schalke don’t fully know where Kenny stands with this tricky ankle injury, so he could miss time beyond Paderborn and Mainz. On Saturday, Feb. 22, Schalke will have a huge matchup against title contenders RB Leipzig, so Wagner will hope that his starting right back returns by then.

Kenny’s enjoyed a highly successful loan spell thus far at Schalke. He’s a tough defender who has sufficient pace and does a great job of progressing the ball with passes into the final third. He was a regular, unquestioned starter prior to the ankle injury, and the Royal Blues have definitely felt his absence.

Per WhoScored.com, Kenny is averaging about 40 passes per game and 1.5 tackles per game this season with two assists. He has already played a touch under 1,700 Bundesliga minutes. Here’s to hoping he’ll be available against Mainz.