By Our Correspondent
National News – Victor Osimhen may return to action for Galatasaray wearing protective gear on his arm after undergoing surgery for a fracture sustained during a recent UEFA Champions League clash.
The Nigerian striker suffered the injury following a collision with Ibrahima Konaté of Liverpool F.C. during the Round of 16 match last week.
The incident forced the 27-year-old forward to undergo surgery earlier this week, with doctors projecting about six weeks for full recovery.
According to Turkish journalist Arda Özkurt, Osimhen could resume playing before the end of the season if his rehabilitation progresses as planned.
However, he may be required to wear a specially designed protective splint on his arm to stabilise the fracture while continuing competitive football.
The protective gear is expected to immobilise the forearm and wrist to support bone healing and reduce the risk of further injury.
Medical experts say such devices usually feature compression straps and breathable padding that help minimise pain while restricting excessive movement during matches and training sessions.
Osimhen is already known for wearing a protective face mask during games following cheekbone surgery in 2021, and the potential addition of arm protection would make him one of the most visibly protected strikers in European football.
Reports from Turkish media suggest the Super Eagles star could return as early as April 26 for the high-profile Istanbul derby against Fenerbahçe S.K., depending on his recovery timeline. If his rehabilitation takes longer than expected, he may only feature in Galatasaray’s final two league fixtures of the season against Antalyaspor and Kasımpaşa S.K..
Despite the injury setback, Osimhen has enjoyed an impressive campaign with Galatasaray.
The Nigerian international has scored 19 goals and delivered seven assists in 29 appearances across all competitions this season, helping the Turkish giants maintain a four-point lead in the domestic league title race.
He also contributed significantly in the Champions League before the club’s elimination, recording seven goals and three assists in 10 matches.
Galatasaray are also still competing in the Turkish Cup, where they face Gençlerbirliği S.K. in the quarter-finals.
With his recovery underway, fans and analysts are watching closely to see how quickly Osimhen returns and whether the protective arm gear will allow him to finish the season strongly.
