Anthony Annan set for Schalke debut in big German game on Friday

Ghana midfielder Anthony Annan could be thrown straight into the deep end for Schalke when they clash with Borussia Dortmund in one of the biggest local derbies in the German Bundesliga on Friday.

Annan joined Schalke last week after ending his two-year stay with Norwegian giants Rosenborg.

It was thought the Ghanaian midfielder would be given enough to settle in Germany but after hitting the ground running in training coach Felix Magath thinks Annan is ready for action.

“He has made a fantastic impression,” Magath said of Annan.

“He is excellent in possession, lively, aggressive and he wants the ball.”

“He knows what to do right away and is quick to get forward. He looked very impressive and may well be able to help us this weekend.”

Schalke, who face Valencia in the Champions League round of 16 later this month, are 11th in the league, 25 points off Ruhr valley rivals Dortmund, who top the table with 16 wins from 20 matches.

Dortmund, who beat Schalke 3-1 in September, have not won both derbies in one season since their Champions League-winning 1996/97 campaign.

A defeat, however, is unlikely to rattle Dortmund, who are 11 points ahead of second-placed Bayer Leverkusen and 14 above champions Bayern Munich.

Schalke, though, are in desperate search of points as the battle for a European spots intensifies and a slip-up is likely to pile more pressure on Magath.