Despite returning to full training, Umar Sadiq will not feature in Real Sociedad’s trip to face La Liga champions Barcelona later today, according to the lineup provided by the club.

Sadiq, who suffered a cruciate ligament rupture in the game against Getafe on August 11, 2022, has missed a total of 30 league games this campaign, as well as 12 matches in both the UEFA Europa League and the Copa del Rey. After months of intense rehabilitation and recovery, the Nigerian forward finally rejoined the first team for training on Wednesday.

However, head coach Imanol Alguacil has decided to exercise caution and exclude Sadiq from the squad for the clash against Barcelona. Despite the player’s return to full training, it appears that Alguacil wants to ensure that Sadiq has enough time to regain his full match fitness before making his competitive comeback.

The decision comes as no surprise considering the severity of Sadiq’s injury and the lengthy spell he has spent on the sidelines. Cruciate ligament ruptures require a long rehabilitation process to ensure a player’s full recovery and minimize the risk of reinjury. 

As the season draws to a close, Sadiq’s return to full training is a positive sign for both the player and the club. Real Sociedad fans eagerly await the moment when the Nigerian forward can make his much-anticipated comeback and contribute to the team’s final push for a strong finish in the league and the upcoming European competitions.