Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen. Copyright: Imago
Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk has admitted there is a slight chance that Victor Osimhen will make the squad to face Gençlerbirliği next week, Soccernet.ng reports.
Osimhen has been sidelined with a hand injury for the past three weeks. He sustained the injury during Galatasaray's UEFA Champions League clash against Liverpool prior to the international break, which necessitated surgery to accelerate his recovery process. The 27-year-old striker even extended his hospital stay to facilitate a speedier rehabilitation.
In the meantime, Osimhen has returned to personalized training. As previously reported, the Super Eagles star is expected to wear a special protective brace on his hand once he returns to full action.
Victor Osimhen, Ilkay Gundogan, Leroy Sane, Gabriel Sara for Galatasaray. Copyright: ImagoxBSRxAgencyx
On Wednesday, the Cimbom secured a 3-1 victory against Göztepe—a team often considered a banana skin in the Süper Lig. After the match, coach Buruk was asked about Osimhen’s status and confirmed that the Nigerian is on the right path to recovery.
What Okan Buruk Said About Victor Osimhen's Return
Following the important 3-1 win over Göztepe, Buruk confirmed that Osimhen is back on the grass. While there is a slim possibility he could join the matchday squad against Gençlerbirliği, the primary goal remains to have him fully fit for the Istanbul derby against Fenerbahçe on April 26.
Galatasaray coach Orkan Buruk (photo credit: Imago)
”Osimhen's recovery process—well, he has started running. We already shared that as news,” Buruk said.
“He started running. Of course, I think it will be difficult for this weekend, but for the Gençlerbirliği match we play the following week—if conditions are suitable, of course—I think he could be in the squad. But we might even skip that and consider using him in the Fenerbahçe match. However, we need to monitor his progress; we need to see how things go there”.
Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray. Copyright: ImagoxBSRxAgencyx
Osimhen is undoubtedly Galatasaray's best player. With him in the lineup, the Cimbom have significantly more firepower on the pitch. Coach Buruk will be hoping his star striker returns to club action as soon as possible.
Kelvin Omachonu is a professional football columnist and sports writer with over half a decade of experience covering major events and delivering captivating, analytically-driven stories.
A graduate of the University of Ibadan, he is fueled by a profound dedication to sports journalism and the beautiful game. His insights have previously been featured in respected outlets, including IndyPress UI, UCJ UI Newshive NG, Sportpremi, and a few others.
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