Hugo Ekitike Targets December Return After Major Injury Recovery Update
Liverpool have received encouraging news regarding Hugo Ekitike, with the striker reportedly hoping to return to competitive football before the end of the year.
According to L’Équipe, Ekitike is targeting a possible return in December as he continues his rehabilitation from a serious Achilles tendon injury suffered earlier this year.
The French forward sustained a rupture to his right Achilles during Liverpool’s Champions League meeting with Paris Saint-Germain in April. The injury brought his season to an abrupt end and also ruled him out of France’s World Cup plans.
Ekitike makes progress in rehabilitation
Ekitike has now spent around six months recovering from the injury and appears to have reached another positive stage in his rehabilitation.
The 24-year-old reportedly travelled to the United States in recent days to meet with a specialist and receive further assessment regarding his recovery.
The latest evaluation is said to have provided encouraging signs, with Ekitike progressing according to his rehabilitation schedule. He has also started light jogging as he continues to build his fitness.
The Liverpool striker spent part of September working on his recovery at France’s Clairefontaine training centre before returning to Merseyside to continue his rehabilitation programme.
November training return targeted
While there is still no guaranteed date for Ekitike’s comeback, the latest report suggests he is aiming to return to team training in November.
If his recovery continues without complications, December could then provide an opportunity for him to return to competitive action.
However, the timeline remains provisional. Achilles injuries can require lengthy rehabilitation, and the player’s physical response will ultimately determine when he can safely progress to full training and matches.
Liverpool had previously maintained a more cautious approach to Ekitike’s recovery.
When discussing the decision to include him in the club’s Champions League squad, Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola indicated that the striker was still some distance away from returning but acknowledged there was a possibility he could contribute later in the European campaign.
Liverpool could welcome Ekitike back
A return before the end of December would provide Liverpool with another attacking option during a potentially demanding period of the season.
Ekitike had an impressive first campaign at Anfield, finishing the 2025/26 Premier League season as Liverpool’s leading scorer with 11 league goals.
His absence has left Liverpool relying heavily on their other attacking options, while the club has also dealt with further injury concerns involving forwards.
If Ekitike can successfully complete the next stages of his rehabilitation, his potential return around December would give Liverpool another option as the season enters its busy winter period.
For now, November remains the target for a return to team training, while December is being considered as a possible window for his competitive comeback.
