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Schalke trainer Mirko Slomka has said hat his side will need to be patient ahead of their weekend Bundesliga clash with Hansa Rostock.

The Königsblauen take on Hansa at the Veltins Arena in between their two Champions League quarter final ties with Barcelona, but Slomka has stressed that they are concentrating solely on the league game on Saturday.

"We are focusing totally on Rostock at the moment” the trainer said “At the end of the season we want to be in a position that entitles us to play in the Champions League again next year. We have to win our home games, there's no doubt about that” he added.

Schalke do not have the best of records at home to the East German side having won just once since the Veltins Arena opened its doors in 2001. “Although statistics and history shouldn't play too much of a role, we have to work on improving this record” Slomka explained.

The Schalke boss feels his team will have to be patient on Saturday and emphasised the need for his players to work hard to keep possession.

“We can't afford to make the mistake of playing the ball forward too early” he said. “We now have to take the momentum from the Barcelona game into the game against Rostock” he added.

The Königsblauen trainer may opt to rest striker Kevin Kuranyi who had a poor game against Barcelona and was substituted after an hour. Vicente Sanchez or Sören Larsen could be given a start.

Meanwhile Jermaine Jones will return from suspension, but full back Rafinha is a doubt with a hip injury.

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Goal.com - Schalke - Slomka Calls For Patience Against Rostock