Waldoch set for Schalke stay

Schalke defender Tomasz Waldoch looks set to sign a new one-year deal.

Schalke defender Tomasz Waldoch looks set to sign a new one-year deal in Gelsenkirchen.

The 33-year-old Pole, who captained the Royal Blues from 1999 to 2004, has failed to hold down a regular first team berth this season.

Coach Ralf Rangnick has preferred Mladen Krstajic and Marcelo Bordon in the centre of defence but Waldoch has nevertheless continued to be a valuable squad member.

The former Bochum stopper revealed that he had spoken to Schalke bosses Rudi Assauer and Andreas Muller this week and was optimistic about staying at the club for a further year.

"A final decision has yet to be made but things are looking good," Waldoch said.

Meanwhile, Schalke team manager Muller has said that he hopes Dutch midfielder Niels Oude Kamphuis could still be persuaded to stay at the Arena AufSchalke despite his stated desire to leave in the summer.

"Maybe the prospect of playing in the Champions League will persuade him," said Muller. "The door here is always open."