Magath hoping for tired Schalke

The Royal Blues were in action in the Champions League on Wednesday, conceding a late equaliser to draw 2-2 with Montpellier.

And Magath hopes this will give his side an advantage in what will otherwise be a difficult trip for his players.

"We hope to take something away with us," he said. "Our opponents have an extra 90 tough minutes in their joints from the Champions League.

"That could certainly be an aspect which plays into our hands."

Magath knows the atmosphere at the Arena AufSchalke having led the Royal Blues to a runners-up spot in 2010, and he says this could be a factor in favour of the home side.

"It is nothing new that the atmosphere is one of the most influential factors in football," he added at the pre-match press conference.

"Our fans gave us excellent support recently against Mainz and you could see quite clearly that the team got a lift from it.

"We are just going to have to prepare for the atmosphere in Schalke and accept it."

Srdjan Lakic is a candidate again for a place in the Wolfsburg side after being left out "for a pause for reflection" a week ago while Jan Polak has recovered from injury and can play.

Schalke's Lewis Holtby says he and his team-mates will be eager to win, and not just because they come up against their former coach.

"It is not about individual people," he said. "We are playing against Wolfsburg and not against Felix Magath.

"We will be highly motivated and we desperately want to win. After two draws, we now have to get three points, no matter what.

"Even a dirty win would do."