Schalke 04 are waiting on the fitness of Cameroon forward Eric Choupo-Moting for Sunday's home match against Werder Bremen with the Royal Blues poised to sign a new defender.

Winger Choupo-Moting, who scored in the 1-0 victory against Hoffenheim in their final match of 2015, is struggling to shake off a cold while left-back Dennis Aogo is out with an Achilles tendon injury.

The Indomitable Lions' star, has scored three goals in 17 league games this season, and Choupo-Moting is "on the brink" of being fit, according to Schalke coach Andre Breitenreiter.

A decision is likely to be made only before kick-off at Gelsenkirchen's Veltins Arena.

Schalke's new midfield signing Alessandro Schoepf, who cost five million euros ($5.4m) from second division Nuremberg, is also struggling to be fit in time with a thigh strain.

A win over struggling Bremen, who are third from bottom, could lift the Royal Blues up from sixth to fourth.

The Gelsenkirchen-based club are set to announce the new signing of a new defender to cover for injured Germany international Benedikt Hoewedes, who could be out for another 12 weeks with a thigh injury.

"Things will happen next week, we have a few candidates," said Schalke's sports director Horst Heldt.