23.01.2016 16:06 h

Schalke in talks with defenders Brooks, Wimmer

Schalke confirmed on Saturday they are in transfer talks with Tottenham Hotspur's Kevin Wimmer and Hertha Berlin's John Anthony Brooks in a bid to boost their centre-back options with captain Benedikt Hoewedes injured.

Schalke's chairman Clemens Toennies told Sky his club is in "intensive talks" with the two defenders as Germany international Hoewedes is expected to be out for up to three months with a thigh injury.

The Bundesliga club are hoping to sign both players before the transfer window closes in Germany on February 1.

Brooks, a US international, is under contract in Berlin until 2017 and has already been linked to Champions League side Wolfsburg.

Austria's Wimmer joined Spurs at the start of the season from Cologne but the 23-year-old has yet to appear in the Premier League.

Toennies wants to extend the contract of Schalke's Cameroon defender Joel Matip, who has been courted by several English clubs.

Schalke host Werder Bremen at home on Sunday as the Bundesliga resumes this weekend after the winter break. The Royal Blues were sixth in the table and visitors Werder third from bottom before Saturday's matches.