Schalke 04 midfielder Marco Hoger has been ruled out for the rest of the season after undergoing knee surgery earlier today.

Hoger suffered a partial tear of his cruciate knee ligaments during last weekend's 3-2 win over Eintracht Braunschweig.

The Royal Blues have taken the swift decision to send Hoger for an operation to repair the teat at a clinic in Augsburg today, ruling him out for at least six months.

The 24-year-old now faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines, leaving Schalke short of a key option in central midfield ahead of tomorrow night's Champions League clash with Chelsea.

Jens Keller is also without forward talisman Klass-Jan Huntelaar until at least the New Year with a similar injury after the Dutch striker broke down in training last week.