Flying Eagles forward Suleman Sani has returned to team training with RB Leipzig after spending around a month on the sidelines with a muscle injury in his hip area.

The 19-year-old, who joined Leipzig from Slovak side AS Trenčín during the January transfer window, is now stepping up his recovery as he looks to make his long-awaited Bundesliga debut before the end of the season. 

Sani’s return comes as a timely boost for Leipzig ahead of Saturday’s Bundesliga home clash against FC St. Pauli, although head coach Ole Werner admitted the club is still assessing the youngster’s condition before making a final decision on his availability.

Speaking during his pre-match press conference, Werner explained that the coaching staff would carefully evaluate both Sani and fellow midfielder Ezechiel Banzuzi before selecting the squad.

“With Banzuzi and Sani, who returned this week, we’ll have to see how we manage the squad or whether they are fully available,” Werner said, as quoted by Ligainsider.

The former Akwa United player has endured a frustrating start to life in Germany since completing his move to Leipzig on a long-term contract until 2031. 

Shortly after arriving at the Bundesliga club in January, Sani suffered an ankle ligament injury in training that kept him out for several weeks before another setback with a hip muscle problem halted his progress again. 

Despite yet to make a competitive appearance or even feature in a matchday squad for Leipzig, the club continues to view Sani as one of its exciting long-term prospects.

Saturday’s match could now offer Sani the opportunity to take another important step in his recovery and potentially edge closer to his first appearance for Leipzig.