Kevin-Prince Boateng has once again been forced to settle for a spot on the bench as Schalke 04 prepare to meet Freiburg in the Bundesliga.

The Ghana international was used as a second-half substitute in the Champions League defeat to Sporting Lisbon in midweek after recently recovering from an ankle problem.

Boateng is joined on the bench by Chinedu Obasi and Christian Fuchs as Roberto Di Matteo brings Jan Kirchhoff and Lloyd Sam back into the team.

Freiburg boss Christian Streich names an unchanged side as Admir Mehmedi continues his partnership with Sebastian Freis in attack for the hosts.

Freiburg: Bürki, Gunter, Torrejon, Mitrovic, Riether, Kerk, Darida, Hofler, Schmid, Mehmedi, Freis

Schalke: Fahrmann, Neustadler, Howedes, Aogo, Uchida, Meyer, Kirchhoff, Hoger, Choupo-Moting, Sam, Huntelaar