Schalke’s Bundesliga hopes have received a setback with the news that Lincoln, their influential Brazilian playmaker, has been given a five-match ban.
Lincoln has been punished after he was sent off for striking Bernd Schneider in the face at the end of Sunday’s 1-0 home defeat by Bayer Leverkusen.
Lincoln was shown a straight red card and the 28-year-old will now miss some key games as Schalke strive to clinch their first German title of the modern era.
Among the games Lincoln will miss are the crucial encounter with second-placed Stuttgart and a meeting with champions Bayern Munich who currently lie fourth.
Schalke have chosen not to appeal against the ban.
