Juventus are using the international break to give Ekhator further time to recover, with the young forward’s first months in Turin having been interrupted twice by injury. The club’s first signing of the Carnevali era has yet to find a rhythm after stopping in the opening summer friendly and then suffering another setback soon after returning from the first lay-off.
A recovery target before November
Ekhator is working through muscular trouble and is aiming to be available by the end of October, or in the opening days of November at the latest. His current absence is due to a moderate semitendinosus muscle injury, but Juventus expect the 2006-born striker to resume his new adventure once the problem has cleared.
- The forward was injured in Juventus’ first pre-season friendly.
- He then sustained a second physical issue shortly after recovering from the initial problem.
- The international window has offered him extra time away from competitive demands.
- His intended return date is late October or, failing that, early November.
At Continassa, there is confidence that Ekhator can complete his rehabilitation, although the club are not making broader decisions over his future while he remains sidelined.
A No. 9 opportunity in Spalletti’s squad
The circumstances of Juventus’ market work could give Ekhator a meaningful opening when he returns. Luciano Spalletti had requested another centre-forward, and the directors attempted to meet that need without completing a deal. As things stand, Ekhator could be the only orthodox No. 9 available to the coach.
That situation gives the teenager a credible chance of minutes during the second half of the campaign, provided he can regain fitness and show his value on the pitch. Spalletti is said to hold the player in high regard, while Ottolini knows his potential from their time together at Genoa.
January loan remains an open question
A possible January loan has not been ruled out, but Juventus have made no decision. The immediate plan is to assess Ekhator in training and matches after his recovery, with the club presently giving greater weight to the possibility that he can contribute to Spalletti’s season.
Juventus took the same position during the summer, when Porto repeatedly sought to take Ekhator on loan. Those approaches were turned away as the club considered him part of the longer-term rebuilding work.
For Carnevali, Ekhator represented an early step in restoring a stronger Italian core within the Juventus squad. Before that wider project can take shape for the striker, however, the priority is simpler: completing his recovery and finally beginning his Juventus season.
