Schalke suspend Varela and Grossmueller

GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany (AFP) - Schalke 04 on Tuesday suspended Uruguay internationals Gustavo Varela and Carlos Grossmueller ahead of Thursday's UEFA Cup tie with Paris St Germain "for disciplinary reasons".

The pair have been demoted to the reserves team until further notice after Schalke manager Andreas Mueller and coach Fred Rutten took the decision on Tuesday after calling the pair to a meeting.

"For disciplinary reasons we came to this decision, but we will not go public over exactly what happened," said Mueller in a statement.

Midfielder Grossmueller was only used in two Bundesliga games this season, while winger Varela, who had his contract extended during the summer, has not been considered yet by Rutten this season.

Both will miss Thursday night's UEFA Cup match in Group A where Schalke and St Germain have been drawn with Dutch side Twente and Spain's Real Racing Club Santander.

Also ruled out of the match with injury is Schalke defender Mladen Krstajic and right-back Rafinha who both picked up knocks in the 1-1 draw with Bundesliga leaders Hamburg last Sunday.

Germany defender Christian Pander is struggling to shake off the effects of a calf strain, but Georgia midfielder Levan Kobiashvili is back in contention for selection after shaking off the 'flu.