Galatasaray have included Victor Osimhen in their travelling squad for the UEFA Champions League knockout phase playoff clash with Juventus, despite earlier doubts over the striker's availability.

The Turkish giants travel to Turin for the second leg of their Champions League match with a commanding three-goal cushion, having secured a 5-2 victory in the first leg, with the Nigeria international providing two assists in the final sixteen minutes. 

Osimhen had been a fitness concern in recent days due to a knee issue and was left out of  Galatasaray's 2-0 loss at Konyaspor as a precaution. 

However, following training on February 24, Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk opted to name the former Napoli forward in the provisional squad for Wednesday's encounter at the Allianz Stadium.

Buruk will be hoping the former African Footballer of the Year avoids any recurrence of the injury, given Galatasaray’s struggles in his absence.

The Turkish side lost both Champions League matches Osimhen did not feature in, beginning with a heavy 5–1 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in their league-phase opener, followed by a shock 1–0 loss to Union SG in November.

The first leg was historic, marking Galatasaray's first-ever five-goal haul in a Champions League proper match and the first time a Turkish side has scored five goals against an Italian team in UEFA club competition.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel