Choupo-Moting and Sam back in Schalke training

Gelsenkirchen - The international break has brought yet more good news for FC Schalke 04 head coach Roberto Di Matteo as attacking duo Sidney Sam and Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting moved a step closer to a first-team return after injury.

Sam rejoined full first-team training on Friday morning, while Choupo-Moting trained individually after overcoming calf problems, the club confirmed via their official Twitter account.

27-year-old Sam, who hasn't featured since appearing as a substitute in the Royal Blues' Matchday 21 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt, has endured an injury-plagued first season in Gelsenkirchen after joining from Bayer 04 Leverkusen last summer. Cameroonian international Choupo-Moting, another summer signing, last featured in Matchday 24's win over TSG 1899 Hoffenheim.

Di Matteo's side, who lost 1-0 to Leverkusen at the Veltins Arena last time out, have recently welcomed Ralf Fährmann, Jefferson Farfan, Sead Kolasinac and Leon Goretzka back into training, while Julian Draxler is also on the verge of a return.