Monaco’s Folarin Balogun returns to full-contact training | OneFootball

Folarin Balogun’s (23) return is nearing. The USMNT striker suffered a dislocated shoulder during a duel in the win over Stade Rennais at the start of October and is yet to feature since.

Balogun suffered the injury against Stade Rennais in the final game before the October international break. He subsequently pulled out of the USMNT squad and before the return of Ligue 1 football, it was announced that he was expected to miss over two months of action, which put his participation in the UEFA Champions League encounter against his former club, Arsenal, in doubt.

However, his recovery has gone better than expected. Speaking at a press conference, attended by Get French Football News, Adi Hütter revealed that Balogun has now returned to full-contact training, even though he will not play any part against Stade Brestois on Friday.

“For Balogun, medically he is fit but not game-ready. To be game-ready, he needs more practice and more duels. He’s in good shape. In the short term, he can be a player for the starting XI. There is the green light from the medical department but in every duel, he has to show that he is game-ready. When he shows that, he will be back,” said the Monaco manager.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle