Reading midfielder Hope Akpan is set to return to action at the end of this month, Nigeria Football Federation medics are hoping. <br /><br />The 23 - year - old dislocated his shoulder while on international duty with the Super Eagles in November, which made him sit out the last round of qualifiers against South Africa.<br /><br />Initial prognosis suggested that he would spend up to three months on the sidelines, meaning he will return to full fitness around mid - February.<br /><br />&ldquo;I want to re-emphasise that Hope Akpan has started active training with the first team of Reading and only awaits final clearance from the doctors who operated on his shoulder by the end of this month to resume full action with his club side, &rdquo; national team doctor, Gyaran, said in a press release.<br /><br />Hope Akpan has appeared 12 times in the English Championship, chalking up 857 minutes of playing time in the process.<br /><br />Photo Credit : Twitter<br />