Schalke 04 attacking midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng has promised to the club's fans that the team will improve in the second half of the Bundesliga season, in particular at the back.

Boateng also said that Schalke should expect even more from young starlet Max Meyer, who impressed in the first 17 games of the season.

"The most important thing is to stop letting in so many goals," Boateng told Bundesliga.com. "I promise we won't concede as many [in the second half of the season]. We want to focus on improving our defence.

"I'm working on my fitness and want to start the second half of the season at full power. [Meyer]'s one of the best players of his age I've ever played with. He behaves how I should have when I was his age - he keeps quiet off the pitch."

Schalke finished the first half of the season in seventh place.