Gotze fit for Schalke clash

Borussia Dortmund playmaker Mario Gotze has confirmed that he has recovered from injury and is fit to play against Schalke on Saturday.

The Germany international was replaced after 28 minutes of the Bundesliga champions’ 2-1 defeat to Arsenal in midweek, and was initially a doubt for this weekend’s clash.

However, after being treated for a thigh ailment, the 19-year-old has stated that he is available for selection for the Ruhr derby.

“It has become much better,” he told Bild.

“The swelling has gone completely. I am assuming that I can play.”

The Signal Iduna Park outfit sit in third place ahead of the fixture, a point ahead of Schalke and three behind league leaders Borussia Moenchengladbach.

The race for the title was thrown wide open by Dortmund’s 1-0 away win over Bayern Munich in their last outing, in which Gotze scored the winner.