3 days ago
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Paul Pogba will reportedly make his long-awaited return to the pitch this weekend more than two years after being handed a lengthy doping ban.
The French midfielder, 32, was set to make his Monaco debut last month but left fans heartbroken when he picked up a muscle injury days before the game.
His return was then postponed until the start of this month. However, once again, Pogba was forced to withdraw from his side's squad to play Paris FC at the last minute after injuring his ankle in training.
Now, after a number of delays, French publication L'Equipe report that the World Cup winner will be included in Monaco's squad for their clash against Rennes on Saturday.
If he gets on the pitch, it will be the former Man United and Juventus man's first appearance for more than two-and-a-half years since he played for the Old Lady in Serie A against Empoli.
Yet Monaco boss Sebastien Pocognoli was understandably cautious about the prospect of Pogba featuring this weekend after being left frustrated by a number of delays.
Paul Pogba will reportedly make his long-awaited return to the pitch this weekend more than two years after being handed a lengthy doping ban
The French midfielder is likely to be included in Monaco's squad for their clash against Rennes on Saturday
'My communication will remain down-to-earth, like our internal analysis,' he told AFP on Monday.
'I said we'll judge him based on what he offers. That's also out of kindness. I hope {he is close to playing].
'But the last time I said that... so I'm trying not to get ahead of myself. It will happen when it's meant to happen. All I can say is that, when he's on the pitch, I see someone who is happy and focused on getting back to the top level. There's no doubt about it.'
Pocognoli added: 'My role now is to help him with the staff and if we can even just bring a smile to his face during professional matches, that will be fantastic.
'Will it be easy? I can’t say. But we’re working on it, and Paul has a strong character. And I think the mind controls a lot of things
'During one of my first internal meetings, I spoke about the club’s legacy. I believe that leaders, like Paul, must pass on their knowledge to the next generation, to the fans, to everyone involved with the club.
'These experienced players must mentor the younger ones. I have to make sure they succeed. The more leaders we have, the more the pressure is distributed. If Paul is used effectively, the group can benefit from his influence.'
Pogba was handed a four-year doping ban in September 2023 which was later slashed to just 18 months.
Monaco manager Sebastien Pocognoli was however understandably cautious about the prospect of Pogba featuring this weekend
Pogba made a dramatic return from the footballing wilderness when he penned a two-year contract with AS Monaco in June this year
The Frenchman told Daily Mail Sport last year that he was going through 'hell' during the period which saw Juventus tear up his lucrative £200,000-per-week contract.
But after discovering his ban was reduced, Pogba made a dramatic return from the footballing wilderness when he penned a two-year contract with AS Monaco in June this year.
He was brought to the Stade Louis II by then-manager Adi Hutter, who was sacked earlier this month after a poor run of results before being replaced by Sebastien Pocognoli.
Monaco currently sit sixth in Ligue 1, five points adrift of a Champions League spot and some seven points behind league leaders Paris Saint-Germain.
