Schalke 04 centre-back Kyriakos Papadopoulos has revealed that he is fit and ready to go when the second half of the Bundesliga season gets underway at the end of January.

Papadopoulos said that the club's supporters had given him a lot of encouragement when he came back from injury as a substitute and that he wants to pay them back with some strong performances in the final 17 games of the season.

"When you're injured and can't play, it's really, really tough, but I'm the sort of person who always thinks positively," he told Bundesliga.com.

"I feel really good and can take part in an entire team training session. It's a wonderful feeling. Finally, I'm here, can train hard with the lads and have fun. I've really missed it. I'm back again!

"Honestly, I love these fans. They're phenomenal, indescribable - it's crazy. It was a lovely moment and has given me lots of strength for the upcoming games. I'm not thinking about the past anymore. I'm only looking ahead."

The player missed more than a year with an ankle ligament tear before making his comeback appearance.