Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface is close to making his return to action after a two-month injury layoff, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The Nigeria international, who has been sidelined since November with a thigh muscle problem, could feature next week according to manager Xabi Alonso.
“Boniface could return next week. He still needs plenty of time to train,” Alonso told reporters on Monday ahead of their Bundesliga clash with Mainz.
The 24-year-old forward had made a bright start to life at the BayArena before his injury setback, netting eight goals in 15 appearances across all competitions this season.
His return will be a welcome boost for the title-chasing Werkself, who currently sit second in the Bundesliga, four points behind leaders Bayern Munich.
However, Boniface had previously suffered a minor setback in his rehabilitation process, which ruled him out of Leverkusen’s first game of the year against Borussia Dortmund.
The striker’s imminent return could spark competition with Patrik Schick, who has impressed in his absence.
“What we want is that everyone is fighting for a position to get better and help the team,” Alonso told Germany-based Nigerian journalist Oma Akatugba.
“We’ll have so many games, all the players will have their moments. But the most important is that in the same way that Patrik Schick is in good form, we want to have Boniface in good form as well.”
Boniface joined Leverkusen in 2023 following an impressive spell at Belgian side Royale Union SG, and he netted 21 goals and provided 10 assists in 34 appearances last season winning the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and German Super Cup in 2024.
The former Union Saint-Gilloise forward will hope to make his comeback during a busy period for Leverkusen, who play five matches in 15 days, including a Champions League fixture against Atletico Madrid on January 21.