Corinthians error worsens injury and delays Memphis recovery | OneFootball

Memphis Depay’s return has been pushed back after a setback in his recovery from a grade two injury to the front of his right thigh.

According to Globo.com, he re-injured the area during the final phase of his programme after an error by Corinthians’ fitness staff in a gym exercise at CT Joaquim Grava, setting him back by at least two weeks. Those close to the player believe there was a lack of professionalism and that the mistake harms the team and disrupts his World Cup build-up.

He was first injured on 22 March at Neo Química Arena against Flamengo. He travelled to Europe the next day for the international window, where Dutch federation medics oversaw treatment. The approach differed from that at CT Joaquim Grava and accelerated his recovery.

He returned to Brazil in the early hours of 4 April and was close to playing. The plan was to get minutes in Sunday’s derby with Palmeiras, then start against Independiente Santa Fe on Wednesday in the Libertadores.

The club had been working to a four-week timescale, targeting a comeback on 21 April against Barra in the Copa do Brasil. He also took part in at least one on-pitch session.

On the eve of his planned return, he felt the thigh again and the injury was aggravated. He asked physiotherapist Fermin Varela to travel to Brazil to align methods with club staff, and the Spaniard visited CT Joaquim Grava on Monday to meet the fitness and medical teams.

Source: Globo.com