Nabil Bentaleb could be set for his first Schalke start when they host Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich on Friday.
Bentaleb, 21, was one of three late arrivals at the Veltins Arena this summer. The Tottenham Hotspur midfielder joined Schalke on a one-year loan, and they reportedly have the chance to make deal permanent at the end of the season.
The Algeria international was joined by his former Spurs teammate Benjamin Stambouli, who was signed from Paris Saint-Germain, and Sevilla winger Yevhen Konoplyanka.
Unlike Konoplyanka and Stambouli, Bentaleb has already made his first appearance in the Royal Blues jersey when he came on as a late sub in the 1-0 defeat at Eintracht Frankfurt on the opening day of the season.
Schalke sporting director Christian Heidel believes Bentaleb is tailor-made for the club's system under new coach Markus Weinzierl.
"We want to play Gegenpressing," Heidel said. "And Nabil Bentaleb is a perfect fit for our system. He just can't stand when the opponent is in possession of the ball."