Odemwingie set for return after injury layoff

Stoke City forward, Osaze Odemwingie, will return to full training on Thursday after nearly eight months on the sidelines with knee ligament damage.

The Super Eagles player has been out since being stretchered off in Stoke’s 1-0 win over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in late August.

But he’s now nearing a return to the first team and has already been involved in small practice games. He hopes to be pushing for a place in Mark Hughes’s squad in the final few weeks of the season.

“I’m joining the team (in training) again and it’s a big step in my rehab,” Odemwingie told Sky Sports.

“It’s just a bit over six months and I’m really pleased because it’s a bit earlier than some players. I hope to be mentally right, but it looks OK.

“I’m not scared and hopefully I can get one or two games before the end of the season.”

Odemwingie gave a good account of himself since joining the Potters from Cardiff in January 2014 in a swap deal that saw Kenwyne Jones move in the other direction.

His contract is due to end this summer and he hopes his return will help his case for a new deal.

“There haven’t been talks yet, I have just had to get fit. There has been no need to look for talks, I have to get fit and then the rest will look after itself,” he said.

“We will see soon because the time is coming. I am approaching the end of my contract and it was logical everyone has to wait until I get fit.

“Now I’m back training and hopefully I’ll play a few games and see what happens.”

Before the injury setback, Odemwingie scored five goals in 15 Barclays Premier League games.