Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has provided a timeline for defender Florian Lejeune’s return from injury.
The centre back, on a reported £38,000-per-week at St James’ Park [Source: Spotrac], suffered a serious knee injury in pre season that the Chronicle reported was set to rule him out for a large chunk of the campaign.
Benitez has now given an update on the player’s recovery: “Training with the fitness coach, getting closer,” he said at his pre match press conference, as reported by BBC Newcastle commentator Matthew Raisbeck on his personal Twitter account.
Rafa on Lejeune: “Training with the fitness coach, getting closer. I think, to train with the team, we can talk about three weeks, maybe. I’m saying three – could be two, could be four. But, it’s OK, and in the videos he put on Instagram, he’s kicking the ball really well!” #NUFC
— Matthew Raisbeck (@raisbeck10) October 19, 2018
“I think, to train with the team, we can talk about three weeks, maybe. I’m saying three – could be two, could be four. But, it’s OK, and in the videos he put on Instagram, he’s kicking the ball really well!”
OPINION
Three weeks isn’t such a bad prognostication considering how severe Lejeune’s injury was thought to be when it occurred this summer. Obviously, you always want one of your top players back a bit sooner but the 27-year-old is doing well considering the extent of the setback. He’s making good progress by training with the fitness coach and in three more weeks he’ll be in and around the first team squad. Obviously from there he has to get back to match fitness and ready for the ferocious nature of the Premier League, but he’s doing well in his comeback so far. Benitez ensured the centre of his defence would be covered despite Lejeune’s injury by going out and getting Federico Fernandez and Fabian Schar this summer so there’s no need for the Frenchman to rush his rehabilitation. But it sounds as if it is so far so good for the centre back.
