Six months after the night his right Achilles gave way against Paris Saint-Germain, Hugo Ekitike is working through the quieter part of a footballer’s season: the long road back. The Liverpool forward, once close to a place in France’s starting XI before the World Cup in the United States, is targeting a return to training in November and competitive action in December.
Key takeaways
- Ekitike suffered a rupture of his right Achilles tendon on 14 April against PSG.
- The 24-year-old Liverpool striker can now jog and remains on schedule in his recovery.
- He visited a specialist in the United States during the latest stage of his rehabilitation.
- November remains his hoped-for window for a return, with December a possible date for matches.
- His lengthy absence has moved him away from the France discussion as other attacking options have emerged.
A carefully managed return
Ekitike has approached his rehabilitation methodically since the injury, aware that Achilles recoveries do not follow an exact timetable. Progress depends heavily on how the player responds physically, even when the broad stages of recovery are being met.
He made a public appearance at the end of August when he took the ceremonial kick-off at Reims, the club where his career began. In September, the former PSG player continued part of his recovery programme at Clairefontaine before returning to Liverpool for further treatment and conditioning work.
A recent trip to the United States, where he consulted a specialist, formed another part of that process. He is now able to run lightly, an important step as Liverpool and the player build towards the final stages of his return.
France place no longer assured
Before his injury, Ekitike had been nearing a prominent role with Les Bleus ahead of the World Cup in the United States. The extended spell out has changed the landscape, however, with new players making their case in the France set-up during recent months.
For now, his focus is on restoring full fitness rather than forcing the calendar. A return during November remains his objective, while December is viewed as the more realistic point at which he could play competitive football again.
