Baba Rahman determined to repay Schalke faith

Ghana's Abdul Rahman Baba is hoping his injury nightmare is finally behind him and that he can repay Schalke 04 for the faith they've shown in him.

The 24-year-old has featured twice already this season, more than he managed last term as he slowly made his return from a seven-month injury-induced absence.

Having last featured in the home defeat by Hertha Berlin in early September, the defender could be in contention to play when Bayern Munich come to town on Saturday.

"My hope is that I play more and more this season," he told KweséESPN. "It feels really good to be fit again and just to have the chance to be competing."

He's also determined to repay the faith shown in him by Schalke, who have overseen the player's recovery after initially signing him on loan in August 2016.

"They have showed a lot of faith in me, so I am determined to make that count," he added.

"Obviously, I must earn my place in the team, but that is something I am determined to do."

Kurt Okraku, owner of Dreams FC, and a key figure in Baba's transition from Ghana to Europe believes that it will still take time for the Wideman to return to his top form.

"It's been a very, very difficult period but he has come through because he has a tough mentality," Okraku told KweséESPN.

"To sit at home for 17 months has not been easy for the player and those of us around him, but he is 100 percent okay now.

"He has started the season well," Okraku concluded, "even though will take him about ten games to reach his top level again."

Baba signed for Chelsea in 2015 after successful spells in German football with Greuther Furth and FC Augsburg but managed just 15 appearances for the Blues before injury struck at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.