Japan's Uchida rejoins Schalke's Euro hunt

Japan defender Atsuto Uchida is set to return to help Schalke in their bid to qualify for next season’s Champions League after recovering from a bout of concussion.

Uchida, 25, suffered a blow to the head in Schalke’s 1-0 win at Borussia Moenchengladbach on Friday after a clash with Belgium international Filip Daems just nine minutes into the game, but he has recovered well and expects to play against Stuttgart on Saturday.

“I’m feeling much better. I am confident that the coach can count on me against Stuttgart,” said the right-back, who took part in Monday’s training.

Schalke are fourth in the Bundesliga – the all-important last Champions League qualifying spot – but are just three points above Eintracht Frankfurt.

The German season ends on May 18 when the Royal Blues travel to sixth-placed Freiburg.