AC Milan star Rafael Leao is set to make his return from injury in a huge Champions League clash against Newcastle United next Tuesday.
Both Newcastle and Milan have to win next week if they are to have any chance of progressing into the knockout rounds of the Champions League.
Sky Sports Italy are now reporting that Leao has recovered from his muscle injury ahead of the game after spending almost a month on the sidelines.
Leao’s muscle injury has now healed
Leao was forced off last month in a 2-2 draw against Lecce with what was revealed to be a first-degree lesion on his right femoral bicep, keeping him out of their last three games as well as international duty with Portugal.
The injury now looks to have healed, however the attacker is unlikely to be made available for their Serie A clash against Atalanta this weekend.
Instead, Leao looks ‘likely’ to make his return against Newcastle where both the Magpies and Milan have to win the game to have any hopes of finishing second in Group F where they currently are third and fourth.
With a number of players missing for Newcastle, including Nick Pope who was excellent at the San Siro, things just seem to be getting worse for Eddie Howe’s team on all injury fronts.
Leao impressed vs Newcastle
Leao is one of Milan’s biggest threats going forwards and it is a huge blow to Newcastle to see that the 24-year-old may be available to face them again, this time at St James’ Park.
In the return leg at the San Siro, Leao had the perfect opportunity to open the scoring against Newcastle who had their backs against the wall the whole game, but the Milan forward tried a ridiculous backheel from just a few yards out which he failed to really connect with.
His quick feet and pace down the wing had caused problem’s for Newcastle’s defence all night and it was only because of Nick Pope they weren’t comfortably beaten.
Newcastle may have been let off the hook as they escaped with a huge point away in Italy, but Leao will have learned from his mistake and look to be more clinical in the rematch.
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