Liverpool striker makes return from knee injury
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Liverpool have finally received some positive injury news, with highly rated teenage striker Will Wright returning to action after a three-month absence with a knee injury.[1]
The club has faced a difficult spell with fitness problems across the squad, most recently seeing defender Conor Bradley leave the Emirates Stadium on crutches after a suspected serious knee injury in the goalless draw against Arsenal, with manager Arne Slot admitting he “fears the worst” for the right-back.[1] In attack, the situation has also been bleak, with British record signing Alexander Isak sidelined for months following ankle surgery on an injury that included a fractured fibula, suffered in the dramatic pre-Christmas win over Tottenham. He is not expected back until at least March.[1]
Against that gloomy backdrop, Wright’s return offers a rare boost. The 17-year-old’s impressive start to life at Liverpool was halted in September when he suffered a medial ligament injury during a UEFA Youth League match against Atletico Madrid at Kirkby.[1] Initial fears were that he might have damaged his anterior cruciate ligament and face a much longer spell out, but scans later confirmed a sprained medial collateral ligament instead, meaning he could avoid surgery.[1] Under-21s boss Rob Page indicated at the time that Wright would miss around two months.[1]
Academy journalist Lewis Bower has now reported that Wright has been back in full training for two weeks, and it has been confirmed that he is starting for Liverpool’s U21s against Norwich City, marking his competitive return.[1]
Liverpool signed Wright from Salford City in the summer, agreeing to pay £200,000 up front, with performance-related add-ons potentially taking the deal to £400,000, and they notably beat Arsenal to his signature.[1] His comeback is seen as a timely boost for the club’s forward options amid a mounting injury crisis.