Injured Howedes out of Revierderby

Schalke have been dealt a blow ahead of their clash
with rivals Borussia Dortmund after Benedikt Howedes
sustained a finger injury.

Schalke captain Benedikt Howedes wil miss the Revierderby
against Borussia Dortmund in a week's time after fracturing a
finger during Saturday's Bundesliga clash with Ingolstadt.

The Germany international sustained the injury during the 1-1
draw at the Veltins Arena but played to the end before
undergoing an operation that will rule him out for up to 10 days.

It means Andre Breitenreiter will be without his skipper for the
first Revierderby of the season at Signal Iduna Park next
weekend.

Howedes is also set to miss to the Europa League clash
with Sparta Prague but the 27-year-old should return in time for
the visit of champions Bayern Munich later this month.

The derby spoils were shared between Schalke and Dortmund
last term - both sides claiming home wins against their rivals -
with the pair currently separated by six points in the
Bundesliga's top four.