Exclusive by Hughie Southon
Monday 10/1/2022 8.47am
The big central defender has made a remarkable recovery from the injury he suffered against his former club Chelsea and is due to return to training on Thursday with a possible eye on the Leeds match on Sunday or Manchester United the following weekend for a squad return.
We had reported recently that he could be back by February but understand that he is now fully recovered medically and it’s now a case of getting up to speed for matches.
Sadly, the 27 year old tested positive for covid last week and has been flat-bound in self isolation since then and of course unable to train along with Vladi Coufal.
However, he is expected to be back in training from Thursday although the away game at Old Trafford looks perhaps his most likely return match.
The player decided against surgery as he is understood to have believed that could keep him out for the season and is delighted with his decision given his rapid recovery.