Galatasaray receive Victor Osimhen boost before Barcelona Champions League test

Galatasaray have been handed a major fitness boost ahead of next Tuesday’s Champions League meeting with Barcelona in Istanbul, after Victor Osimhen returned to partial training with the squad.

The striker has been sidelined for several weeks with a muscle injury in his groin area. His involvement in part of the team’s session represents a positive step in his recovery and gives Galatasaray hope that he could feature against the Spanish side.

Osimhen completed part of the training alongside his team-mates before continuing with individual work. Galatasaray are taking a cautious approach to his rehabilitation and have yet to decide whether he will be given playing time against Kasimpasa on Friday evening or rested entirely with the Barcelona match in mind.

The fixture against Kasimpasa is the Turkish club’s final opportunity to assess their squad before the Champions League game. The decision on Osimhen’s involvement is expected to depend on how he responds to his return to partial group training.

There has also been encouraging progress in Wilfried Singo’s recovery. The defender is continuing to train individually as he works towards a full return to collective sessions.

Galatasaray will play on Friday, while Barcelona are scheduled to face Getafe in La Liga on Saturday. That means the Turkish side will have an additional day of rest before the European fixture.

The preparations come at a difficult point in Galatasaray’s season. They are second in the Turkish league with 13 points from six matches and have not made the ideal start to their Champions League campaign.

Their opening European match ended in a 3-1 defeat by Sporting Lisbon, leaving Galatasaray still waiting for their first victory in the competition.

Osimhen’s return therefore offers the club a potential boost at a crucial stage, although Galatasaray must still determine whether he is ready to play before the visit of Barcelona.