Dele-Bashiru injury update: Positive Super Eagles news for Lazio midfielder

Super Eagles midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is closing in on a return from injury, with Lazio hoping he can rejoin team training before Saturday's Serie A meeting with AC Milan, Soccernet.ng reports.

La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Dele-Bashiru could return to group training between September 9 and 10. If that happens, Lazio coach Gennaro Gattuso could include the 25-year-old in his squad for the Milan game at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday, September 12.

A place on the bench is the realistic target rather than a starting role. That would still be an important step in Dele-Bashiru's recovery. He has been out with a thigh problem since August 25, just one day after playing 54 minutes in Lazio's 1-0 Serie A win away to Bologna. He had also played 71 minutes against Mantova in the Coppa Italia eight days earlier.

The injury therefore came just as the Nigeria international had started the new season as part of Gattuso's midfield plans.

Lazio have also started the Serie A campaign strongly. They beat Bologna 1-0, defeated Genoa 1-0 and then came from behind to beat Udinese 2-1 on September 7. Dele-Bashiru missed the latter two victories while recovering.

Dele-Bashiru; Milan return could be first step before Super Eagles camp

Gazzetta's report gives Dele-Bashiru a chance of returning to the squad much sooner than some public injury trackers had suggested. Earlier reports had listed October as his expected return date, but the latest update now points to a possible return to training immediately and a place among the substitutes against Milan.

Dele-Bashiru's return from injury is also positive news for Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle because the Super Eagles' next competitive matches are close.

The Super Eagles are scheduled to face Madagascar on September 23 before travelling to play Guinea-Bissau four days later in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

Dele-Bashiru's return to training before that camp would give Eric Chelle more confidence in his availability. The midfielder has become a regular part of Nigeria's squad and was involved in the team's recent international programme, including 27 minutes against Poland and 60 minutes against Portugal in June. He also supplied an assist in the 2-1 defeat to Portugal.

If he misses Milan, the next target should be a full return to training followed by Lazio's next Serie A fixtures. The club's schedule gives him more time to rebuild his fitness before Nigeria's September qualifiers.

If he completes enough training before Saturday to earn a place on Gattuso's bench, it would put the Nigerian midfielder on course to be back playing regularly before the Super Eagles gather for their next AFCON qualifying camp. If Lazio decide against rushing him, the priority will be a complete recovery and enough competitive work to make him physically ready for Nigeria's matches later in September.