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Schalke allow Marco Hoger to return to training

Schalke have allowed Marco Hoger to return to team training after serving a suspension imposed by the club.

Schalke had announced last week that, in addition to the indefinite suspensions handed out to Kevin-Prince Boateng and Sidney Sam, Hoger had been handed a temporary ban amid doubts over his loyalty to the club.

The club's sporting director Horst Heldt had said at the time that Hoger's ban was "subject to him spending this week thinking things over" and added: "We will sit down the day after the Paderborn game and discuss whether it makes sense to carry on working together beyond this season."

After Schalke's 1-0 victory over Paderborn at the weekend, the club has resolved to allow the 25-year-old midfielder back into the fold.

A statement read: "Following a discussion with the management on Monday, the midfielder is allowed to take part in both training and first-team activities."

Hoger, who has started 25 games for the Royal Blues this season, could immediately return to Roberto Di Matteo's starting XI as a makeshift right-back after captain Benedikt Howedes sustained an ankle injury in the Paderborn match.

According to kicker, Hoger is also set to prolong his Schalke contract by two years through to the summer of 2018.

The Royal Blues, who have now qualified for the 2015-16 Europa League group stage, travel to Hamburg on Saturday, and could seal the hosts' first ever relegation from Bundesliga if they avoid defeat at the Volksparkstadion.