Hugo Ekitike is targeting a return from his Achilles injury in November, with December also identified as a possible date for the Liverpool striker to feature again, according to L’Equipe.
The 24-year-old France international suffered the injury in April, subsequently underwent surgery, and has been recovering ever since. There has been no definitive timeframe on a potential return to team training or the matchday squad, with Ekitike still taking part in his rehabilitation programme.
Liverpool included Ekitike in their Champions League squad, which was confirmed last month, with the Reds having league-phase fixtures until the end of January.
Recovery progress and specialist visit
It has been reported that Ekitike has recently travelled to the United States to visit a specialist about his recovery from the injury. This came just a few weeks after the striker took part in an individual training programme at the training base for the France national team in Clairefontaine.
The report goes on to claim that Ekitike is now able to jog and is still looking to return to fitness before the end of the calendar year.
Manager's comments on Champions League squad
Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola was asked last month about the club including Ekitike in their Champions League squad, despite the forward being on the sidelines with a long-term injury.
“I think it's difficult with these long-term injuries, I think he's still far [away],” Iraola said. “But we had a meeting with the medical department to analyse when we completed the [squad] list for the European games.
“There is a reasonable chance that he could help us in the last two games of the group stages. But it's still very early to say. It's very early because it's a long-term injury [and] a big part of the rehab [he] is still to meet. But if we decide to put him there, it is because there is a hope and there is a realistic chance that he could help us in January.”
