Victor Osimhen is closing in on a return for Galatasaray, with the club reportedly planning a carefully managed comeback against Kasımpaşa ahead of their Champions League meeting with Barcelona.
The Nigeria international has continued his rehabilitation in Lagos during the international break after being ruled out of the Super Eagles’ latest Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Galatasaray’s medical team had advised Osimhen against joining Nigeria as he continued his recovery from a muscle injury, with Taiwo Awoniyi subsequently called into Eric Chelle’s squad as his replacement.
Osimhen could return for Kasımpaşa
According to Yenicag Gazetesi, Osimhen could be available when Galatasaray host Kasımpaşa at RAMS Park on Friday, October 9.
However, manager Okan Buruk is reportedly not planning to immediately restore the striker to the starting XI.
Instead, Osimhen could be given around 30 minutes, depending on how the match develops. The appearance would allow Galatasaray to assess his fitness and sharpness in competitive conditions while gradually increasing his workload.
The approach would also give Osimhen four days to recover before Galatasaray host Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday, October 13.
Injury interrupted Osimhen’s strong start
Osimhen suffered the injury during Galatasaray’s 3-2 victory over İstanbul Başakşehir on September 4.
The 27-year-old opened the scoring with a superb finish but was forced off in the 33rd minute after experiencing discomfort in his right groin.
Medical tests subsequently revealed an advanced-moderate strain with bleeding in the right adductor muscle group, ruling him out of the Champions League opener against Sporting CP as well as league matches against Kocaelispor and Trabzonspor.
The setback interrupted an impressive start to the campaign, with Osimhen having scored six goals and provided two assists in his first four Süper Lig appearances.
Galatasaray will now hope the planned Kasımpaşa cameo can provide a safe route back to full fitness before the much bigger test against Barcelona.