Schalke 04 head coach Roberto Di Matteo has handed Matija Nastasic his debut for the Bundesliga clash with Hannover.

Nastasic made the loan switch to Schalke from Manchester City during the winter break for the German club, and he starts his first game alongside Benedikt Howedes in central defence.

An injury to Ralf Fahrmann means that Fabian Giefer is also given his debut after serving as understudy to his fellow goalkeeper in the early stages of his Schalke career.

Despite the recent speculation surrounding their future, Lars Stindl and Leonardo Bittencourt both start for Hannover, who start the day just three points behind the hosts.

Joselu leads the line for the visitors, while there is also a start for Jimmy Briand.

Schalke: Giefer, Kirchoff, Howedes, Nastasic, Fuchs, Uchida, Meyer, Hoger, Choupo-Moting, Neustadter, Huntelaar

Hannover: Zieler, Sakai, Marcelo, Schulz, Albornoz, Hirsch, Schmiedebach, Briand, Stindl, Bittencourt, Joselu