Injury worries before derby: Cologne short of strikers, Schalke sweat on Džeko
Both coaches face absences ahead of Saturday's game in Cologne. René Wagner is looking to his under-21s, while Miron Muslić hopes Edin Džeko can play despite a head wound. Cologne are unbeaten at home.
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FC Cologne and Schalke 04 go into Saturday's game at the RheinEnergieStadion (3:30 p.m. local time) with major personnel problems. Cologne are without striker Ragnar Ache, among others, and coach René Wagner is looking to the under-21 team. "Malek is an option," he said of Malek El Mala, adding that Nilas Yacobi was "the second very hot prospect." Cologne are still unbeaten at home. "We want to become a force at home and keep our record," Wagner said.
Schalke coach Miron Muslić is without Kenan Karaman, Moussa Sylla and Ron Schallenberg. Maximilian Wöber faces a longer layoff. "He won't be back this year," Muslić said.
Edin Džeko is doubtful. The forward has "a big wound on his head" but was "still able to do a lot on the pitch," Muslić said. "We are positive and confident that we can win this race against time."