Pander poised for Schalke comeback

Germany left-back Christian Pander is back in training with UEFA Champions League contenders FC Schalke 04 after a three-month absence with a knee injury.

Porto doubt
The 24-year-old has finally recovered from the knee ligament damage which has kept him sidelined since Schalke's German Cup win against Hannover 96 on 30 October. Although Pander has resumed training with the squad, he is unlikely to be considered for the first leg of Schalke's first knockout round tie against FC Porto, in Gelsenkirchen on 19 February. Capped twice by Germany, Pander has made nine Bundesliga appearances this season, scoring once, as well as one outing in the UEFA Champions League group stage. Schalke travel to Porto for the return leg on 5 March.