The 39-year-old's contract was due to expire in June but the new deal would link the coach to the Gelsenkirchen outfit - who are on a run of six successive victories - till the end of the 2008/09 season.

Club general manager Andeas Muller met Slomka - who took over from Ralf Rangnick in January 2006 - late on Wednesday to talk about his future and said he was confident that there would be no hitches.

"We have agreed a deal at every level and will terminate these discussions in the next two or three weeks, but I do not see anything which would prevent him signing a new contract," said Muller.

This continues the seemingly unending good news for the 1997 UEFA Cup winners, as they sit six points clear of second-placed Werder Bremen and, more significantly, 11 points in front of Bayern Munich in fourth.

Slomka, who was formerly in charge of the club's youth system, is taking nothing for granted as Schalke seek their eighth title but first since 1958.

"We're happy to be six points clear," he told the club website.

"But while we have the quality to win the league, there are another 13 games left, not two.

"We're hoping to have lots of support in Wolfsburg on Saturday. It's going to be another very difficult game because Wolfsburg are having a good spell.

"But we'll be looking to maintain our lead there and if possible even extend it. We want to carry on winning."

Schalke midfielder Fabian Ernst was cautious in his outlook for forthcoming matches.

"I don't really care what the table says," said Ernst. "We aren't dreaming. If anything, we need to be careful and keep our feet on the ground."

A view shared by midfield partner Zlatan Bajramovic.

"I'm not letting it get to me. There are three months to go until the end of the season and so much can happen before then."

Royal Blues captain Marcelo Bordon was more positive.

"We are stronger than in 2005," referring to the team which finished second for its best performance since winning its last title.

Schalke won't find it all their own way however with Wolfsburg losing just once in the last nine visits of Schalke to their Volkswagenarena stadium.

Werder Bremen meanwhile host Hamburg SV on Saturday after their rousing 3-0 UEFA Cup last 32, first leg win over Ajax on Wednesday to boost morale following consecutive Bundesliga defeats including a 2-0 home loss to Schalke.

Bayern travel to lowly Alemannia Aachen on Saturday having last weekend earned their first victory in four attempts since the winter break in beating Arminia Bielefeld 1-0.

It was Ottmar Hitzfeld's first victory in his second spell as Munich coach, having led them to the 2001 Champions League title, following the departure of Felix Magath at the beginning of the month.

"In my opinion, the fact we've made progress was as important as the three points," the 58-year-old said at the time saying that clean sheets were what mattered in football.

"You only succeed as a team with a solid defence. That's the fundamental element in winning matches."

On Bayern's selection front, Brazilian defender Lucio and Italian midfielder Martin Demichelis are unavailable but French defender Willy Sagnol is expected to return after sitting out the Bielefeld game with a knee problem.