Victor Osimhen has handed Galatasaray a timely boost after returning to full training ahead of Saturday’s highly anticipated Istanbul derby against Fenerbahçe, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The Nigerian striker had been sidelined for 11 days with a hamstring strain sustained during international duty with the Super Eagles.
The 26-year-old suffered the setback in the final of the African World Cup qualifying play-off tournament in Morocco, where Nigeria were held 1-1 by DR Congo before losing 4-3 on penalties.
The injury ruled him out of Galatasaray’s 3-2 league win over Gençlerbirliği and their narrow 1-0 Champions League defeat to Union St. Gilloise, two matches in which his absence was clearly felt.
Fresh images released by Galatasaray on their X page show Osimhen training with the ball and moving freely, an indication that he is on course for involvement in this weekend’s derby at Rams Park.
Galatasaray head into the clash holding a slim one-point lead at the top of the Super Lig, adding extra weight to what is already one of world football’s most emotionally charged fixtures.
Despite the encouraging signs, uncertainty remains over whether Osimhen will be deemed fit enough to start. Club officials are expected to assess him closer to matchday, but even a place on the bench would offer a psychological lift for Okan Buruk’s side as they aim to widen the gap between themselves and in-form bitter rivals Fenerbahçe.
Fenerbahçe arrive at the derby unbeaten in 11 matches across all competitions and remain the only side yet to lose in the league this season. Their solidity, attacking fluency and recent consistency suggest a far stiffer challenge than the previous campaign, when Galatasaray met them three times and emerged victorious twice, drawing the other.
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