“He’s in the process of exceptional recovery” – Nigerian striker close to Serie A return after injury

The Winged Lions have been without their Nigerian import in recent weeks, but they could welcome him for the visit of Lazio on Wednesday

Venezia coach Paolo Zanetti has revealed that injured Nigerian striker David Okereke has healed quicker than expected and could feature for the Winged Lions against Lazio in midweek.

Okereke has been a bright spot in a challenging campaign for Venezia, with the on-loan Club Brugge forward scoring four crucial goals for the newly-promoted side.

Two of those goals were winners against AS Roma (3-2) and Bologna (0-1) in November, with the Winged Lions doing just enough to stay above the relegation zone.

But Okereke lasted just seven minutes in Venezia’s first match in December – a game they lost 3-4 at home to Verona – and the 24-year-old was expected to be out of action until the new year.

The former Nigerian youth international, however, holds dreams of earning a shock callup to the Super Eagles ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations tournament in January.

And that may have played a part as coach Zanetti confirms that the attacker has made a near-miraculous recovery from his injury.

“Okereke, however, is in the process of exceptional recovery,” Zanetti said, as per FantaMagazine. “It is possible that he is there for Lazio.”

In Okereke’s absence, Venezia pulled off two impressive 1-1 draws at home Juventus and away to Sampdoria in the Serie A while smashing Ternana 3-1 in the Coppa Italia.

Mauricio Sarri’s Lazio visit the Stadio Pierluigi Penzo to face Venezia in a gameweek 19 clash, with a win likely to put a ten-point gap between the Winged Lions and the relegation waters.