'Ibra had the same problem' - Orthopedic doctor reveals possible return date for Osimhen

Matteo Vitali, orthopedic doctor at the Orthopedics and Traumatology Unit of the San Raffaele Hospital in Milan, has predicted that Victor Osimhen will be on the sidelines for a minimum of one month. 

Osimhen was excused from Nigeria's most recent friendly against Mozambique after suffering an injury during the meeting with Saudi Arabia last Friday. 

Napoli have issued a medical bulletin, stating that the Nigeria international suffered a grade 2 hamstring injury and started his recovery programme at the Konami Training Centre on Monday.

Vitali reckons that Osimhen will have a recovery time of thirty days - twenty days receiving treatment and another ten days working on the pitch. 

Based on the estimated date of return, the striker is doubtful to be called up for the Super Eagles' 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Lesotho and Zimbabwe. 

"I haven't seen Osimhen, his injury is very common in athletes Ibra also had the same problem with a medium-grade lesion of the femoral biceps of the right thigh," Vitali said to Radio Kiss Kiss, via Area Napoli. 

"Usually the protocol is quite standard, a minimum of twenty days of rest is needed with therapies aimed at mitigating the tissue lesion, then the injury must be evaluated during the course.

"After the 20-day period of therapy and rest, it will finally be possible to return to the field to train separately and then with the group.

"With the return to training, more or less another ten days pass until we see him again in an official match."

Osimhen could miss six matches for Napoli, against Verona, Union Berlin home and away, AC Milan, Salernitana and Empoli.

If all goes well, the Super Eagles star would return to action in Napoli's first game after the international break on November 25.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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