Ricky van Wolfswinkel set to return in February | Portugal Football Soccer News

Sporting Lisbon forward Ricky van Wolfswinkel is set to make his return for the club in February after injuring himself in the semi-finals of the Portuguese Cup.

One of the most devastating attackers in Portugal, Ricky van Wolfswinkel has been terrorizing defences in the Primeira Liga ever since signing for the club last summer.

His hefty transfer fee piled the pressure on him to deliver but the Netherlands International held his nerve and has fired on all cylinders this season. Having netted a hugely impressive tally of 14 goals in 21 appearances for the Lions, he has also attracted the attention of several top European clubs.

Manchester United are believed to be chasing the former FC Utrecht man and have expressed an interest in acquiring his services. However the Red Devils will have to wait, as the 22-year-old suffered an injury in the Portuguese Cup semi-final against Nacional.

Van Wolfswinkel started the game but had to come off early in the 10th minute, after suffering an injury on his hip. At least that was the suspicion of the Sporting medical staff when they assessed him on the field.

Domingos Paciencia, the manager, also said the same after the ninety minutes and concluded that the player had been struck on the hip.

“Van Wolfswinkel had a hip injury and was unable to move,” the coach said.

However after undergoing further medical examinations, the doctors changed their verdict and said that his abdomen muscles were the infected areas not his hip.

“He might have a possible oblique muscle injury in the abdomen,” revealed a Sporting statement.

With the identification of the injury, Van Wolfswinkel has begun his recovery process but according to reports will still be out for the whole month of January.

Sporting do boast adequate replacements in their squad in the likes of Valeri Bojinov and Jeffren Suarez but will have to do without their main man for games against SC Braga, Moreirense, Beira-Mar and Olhanense.

The Dutch International is scheduled for a return in the Liga Sagres clash with Gil Vicente, but if he hasn’t recovered by that time, he should definitely be in contention for the Portuguese Cup semi-final against Nacional.

（bettor.com）