Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen will reportedly wear new protective gear on his arm when he returns to action for the club after undergoing surgery for a fracture, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The 27-year-old forward suffered a hand fracture following a collision with Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konaté during their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash last week.

Following the incident, Osimhen underwent surgery earlier this week, with his recovery projected to take about six weeks. While he is expected to return to the pitch towards the end of the season, he may need to wear special protective gear on the arm.

Turkish journalist Arda Özkurt revealed this via Winner Galatasaray:

“If Victor Osimhen’s treatment process progresses as planned, he can wear the jersey with a special protective splint if needed,” Özkurt was quoted.

The striker already wears a protective mask on his eyes, which has become symbolic following a cheekbone surgery in 2021. This specialised device is designed to immobilise the forearm and wrist to support the bone during the healing process. It reduces pain and prevents further damage by restricting unnecessary movement, typically featuring adjustable straps for compression and breathable padding for comfort.

Turkish media reports suggest the Super Eagles striker could return in time for the Istanbul derby against Fenerbahçe on April 26 at the earliest, depending on the progress of his rehabilitation. If he returns later than expected, he would likely feature only in the final two league matches—against Antalyaspor at home and Kasımpaşa away.

Osimhen will also hope the club progresses to the final of the Turkish Cup, where they are currently in the quarter-finals with a match-up against Gençlerbirliği.

This season, he has scored 19 goals and provided seven assists in 29 appearances across all competitions, helping Galatasaray to a four-point lead in the league. He also recorded seven goals and three assists in 10 UEFA Champions League matches before their exit. (PUNCH)

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