Toronto Raptors forward, Precious Achiuwa, is expected to return to action in the New Year after missing 24 straight games for the Canadian-based franchise as a result of a ligament tear in his right ankle.

The Port Harcourt-born forward last featured for the Raptors on November 10 in a 116-109 win over the Houston Rockets contributing four points, six rebounds, one assist and one block in 12 minutes from the bench. He was expected to return to action against the Phoenix Suns on Saturday but head coach of the team, Nick Nurse, has revealed that he is very close to a return.

“He’s pretty close physically like being ready to go and he’s had some contact practices just a matter of getting him confident,” Nurse said.

The return of Achiuwa to the fold would strengthen the team defensively and add to their collective three-point play. The Nigerian before his injury has averaged 8.8 points and 7.0 rebounds per game in just over 20 minutes a night.

Achiuwa is expected to either make his long awaited return against the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday, January 3rd or against the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday January 5.