Osimhen set to return against Villa after surgery

Galatasaray is aiming for the Champions League home match against Aston Villa on November 24 for Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen's comeback from knee surgery. This news comes from a report by Turkish outlet Fanatik.

The Turkish champions do not want to take a chance with Osimhen in the Süper Lig home game against Samsunspor on November 21. This match is the first after the international break, even if he might be ready for it. The game against Villa three days later is seen as a safer option for his return.

Galatasaray has not announced a specific date for his return. They stated that their medical team is checking on his recovery every day.

Osimhen injured his left knee during Galatasaray’s 2-0 Champions League victory over VfB Stuttgart on November 3. A scan revealed a loose fragment in the joint. Club doctor Yener İnce carried out the surgery at Maslak Acıbadem Hospital in Istanbul.

Mehmet Cibara, Galatasaray's vice president, has called the injury chronic. He told GZT, "Osimhen’s injury is chronic," while dismissing claims that the club's pitch caused the problem.

Because of this injury, Osimhen will miss Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Tanzania in Uyo on Friday and in Zanzibar on Tuesday. Galatasaray has already played without him, winning 4-3 against Amedspor at home.

Before getting hurt, Osimhen had scored nine goals and made three assists in eight Süper Lig matches. This performance had him sharing the top spot on the scoring chart with fellow Nigerian Gift Orban.