“It won’t be long now.”

After partaking in a conditioning exercise with Leverkusen rehab coach Daniel Jovin, German phenom Florian Wirtz expressed confidence that he could return to passing drills next week. 

After a session with other recovering Leverkusen players Ayman Azhil and Karim Bellarabi on Tuesday, Florian Wirtz provided some brief notes on his hopes of returning two the pitch after a brutal ACL tear sidelined him some seven months ago. The 19-year-old made a point of telling reporters that “It won’t be long now”. Wirtz hinted a return next week.

Realistically speaking, it may take longer. Wirtz still doesn’t have an official green light for the medical department to return to team training. Moreover, the condensed Champions’ League schedule means that the club is mostly running regenerative sessions for its first team in the short breaks between games.

Five league rounds remain before the winter World Cup break. The final three Bundesliga matchdays prior to the hiatus will be played within an “English Week” between November 4th and 13th. This schedule further hinders Wirtz’s chances of getting full team training in. At the current pace, a World Cup call up seems doubtful.

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