Scotland international Ferguson reveals when he may return to action after knee injury | OneFootball

Bologna captain Lewis Ferguson is optimistic he will make his comeback from injury as early as November.

The Scottish international was named in the Rossblu’s Champions League squad this week as he continues to recover from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

The 25-year-old could return to face Monaco on November 5 after resuming light training at the end of last month.

Ferguson played a pivotal role in last season’s fifth-place finish, which saw Bologna qualify for Europe’s top competition for the first time in 60 years.

In April, the former Hamilton and Aberdeen midfielder sustained the injury in a goalless draw with Monza at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara.

It ruled him out of the final six games of the Serie A season and the 2024 European Championships with Scotland.

Ferguson is unlikely to be fit for Bologna’s first three Champions League matches against Shakhtar Donetsk, Liverpool and Aston Villa.

Yet he told il Resto del Carlino that he should return to action before the end of the year: “Rehab has proceeded well and I feel strong,” he said.

“Now I’m training on the pitch. Everything is good; I’m post-surgery (for) four months, so hopefully, it will not be long.”

Will he return to the pitch for the first Champions League game against Shakhtar Donetsk?

“For the first Champions (League) game, I can’t promise anything. I hope that, in two months, I will be ready to play.

“As for the fans, they are amazing, they show us great support every week. Us guys as a team, we appreciate the love and support and everything that they give us. In return we want to perform on the pitch, we just want to make them happy.”

Bologna have claimed just two points from their opening three league games under new coach Vincenzo Italiano.

Ferguson, who spoke before the Rossoblu’s draw with Empoli, believes there’s no cause for alarm yet.

He said: “I am not worried about the start (of the season). Also, this time last year, we lost the first game and drew the second game; we had one point. We’re in the same position now.

“I thought against Udinese, we played really well; we created so many chances. On a different day, we would maybe score three or four – but I thought the performance was good.

“Against Napoli, of course, wasn’t the best game.  I don’t think we performed at the levels we are capable of and I don’t think we deserved to win the game. It’s normal you can have an off day.”