Exequiel Palacios in line for January return

Exequiel Palacios is closing in on a long-awaited return to action.

Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Exequiel Palacios is making progress in his bid to return to full fitness after suffering an adductor injury in September.

Originally, his comeback was scheduled for February, but Bild reports that the Argentine midfielder is ahead of schedule and could be available as early as January 24 against Werder Bremen.

“’Pala’ is doing very well – a little better than expected,” Bayer 04 head coach Kasper Hjulmand told Bild. 

“We are very happy that there are opportunities for him again in January.”

Palacios returned to partial team training shortly before Christmas and has been following an individual program over the holidays. 

His workload will be gradually increased when the Leverkusen squad return to training in early January.