Schalke 04 defender Abdul Rahman Baba says he has regained his assertiveness after making his first start in close to two years.

The Chelsea-owned player last started a match on 20 December 2016 and it was against Hamburger SV.

But on Friday, the Ghana international lasted the entire duration as the Blues beat fourth division side FC Schweinfurt 2-0 in the DFB-Pokal.

''I feel really good,'' said Baba after his 23rd appearance for Schalke 04.

''I feel 100 per cent and I've got my strength back.

''With more match practice, you can regain your strength quicker.''

Babab's first stint at Schalke in 2017 ended prematurely after he suffered a knee injury playing at the Africa Cup of Nations but Chelsea once again loaned him out to the Royal Blues a year later.