Team news: Lookman named in Atalanta's matchday squad v Club Brugge but starts on bench

Speaking to reporters at Monday's press conference, Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini suggested that Ademola Lookman will be named in the matchday squad tomorrow night when his side take on Raphael Onyedka's Club Brugge in a UEFA Champions League knockout phase playoff tie at Stadio di Bergamo.

A knee injury sustained during a training session ahead of the trip to Barcelona has sidelined the reigning African Footballer of the Year for Atalanta’s past six matches.

The initial prognosis was a one-month layoff, but it has been shortened to three weeks, with the Nigeria international set to make his comeback against Club Brugge.

After four days of partial training with his teammates, Lookman completed the full session with the group in their final workout on Monday.

Gian Piero Gasperini told reporters that the Charlton Athletic academy graduate has recovered from his knee injury, paving the way for his inclusion in the squad to face Club Brugge.

Barring a last-minute change of plan, Lookman will start on the bench against the Belgian champions.

"Lookman and Kolašinac have recovered. In principle, Kolašinac will start, and Lookman might come in during the second half," Gian Piero Gasperini told reporters. 

"We will probably lose Hien. We did a final training session and he felt some fatigue in his adductor."

Lookman has continued to impress for Atalanta, with 21 goal involvements (14 goals, 7 assists) before his injury, despite speculation about his future leading up to the end of the summer transfer window.

The 27-year-old was included in the Champions League Team of the League phase by football statistics website Whoscored.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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