Youngster hampered by groin strain since arrival this summer.
AC Milan star Riccardo Saponara has revealed that he is optimistic that he can return to action soon but is still being troubled by an on-going groin injury.
The 21-year-old arrived from Empoli this past summer, and had been tipped to be an integral part of the Rossoneri squad with early comparisons being drawn with his idol, Kaka.
With the Brazilian returning to Milan, he is expected to help the talented youngster develop and mature as both players will be fighting for the trequartista role.
However, Saponara’s early hopes of breaking into the team have been hampered by a groin strain he has struggled with throughout pre-season, and he admits that he will have to be patient as he aims to make his comeback.
“I still can’t train at 100 per cent,” he told Milan Channel as quoted by Football Italia. “But the pain is slowly disappearing and I’m optimistic that I can return to full fitness quickly.
“I’ll need some time though having missed pre-season training,” he added.
Nevertheless, he admitted that he is fitting in well with his new team-mates at Milanello and revealed that he is watching Kaka closely in training in order to learn as much as possible from the 31-year-old.
While the former Real Madrid ace will play a key role this season, Saponara is very much seen as the ideal replacement in the long-term, and he will be hoping to be given a chance to prove his worth over the course of the season.
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