Last season's surprise runners-up, who will also compete in the Champions League, have suffered a disappointing start despite signing former Real Madrid striker Raul and spending more new players than any other Bundesliga club.
However, the arrival of the Dutch striker from AC Milan, who will be given freedom to play in his favoured central attacking position, could turn things around against Hoffenheim, winners of both their Bundesliga matches to date.
"Finally we have a player who is better than many others," Schalke coach Felix Magath told reporters on Wednesday. "This team now has more potential than last year's."
"He (Huntelaar) won't take long to integrate himself. He knows where the goal is and that is what we have been missing lately," said Magath.
"We fit well together," Huntelaar said. "Success will now come to Schalke and that is why I am here."
However, they will be dangerous up front with the pairing of Claudio Pizarro and Austrian Marko Arnautovic, whose double strike against Cologne two weeks ago served notice that he could be one of this season's revelations.
