Pogba to return ‘maybe in 20 days’ as Juve midfielder still not fit to play

Massimiliano Allegri believes Paul Pogba may be ready to make his long-awaited second Juventus debut in three weeks’ time as he builds up his fitness levels.

The France international has yet to feature for the Bianconeri since rejoining the club from Manchester United at the start of the season due to a succession of injury setbacks.

Pogba underwent surgery after sustaining a knee injury during pre-season, forcing him to miss the entire campaign to date as well as the World Cup in Qatar.

Despite returning to the bench for the Serie A defeat by Monza at the end of January, Allegri revealed the midfielder is enduring yet another spell on the sidelines to increase his match fitness.

Speaking ahead of Juve’s clash with Fiorentina on Sunday, the head coach said: “Pogba cannot be called up. At the moment, he is in the pits. 

“It’s not a new injury he’s picked up, but a case of finding his feet and fitness again. He’s working hard to get to the point where he’s ready to play.

“He is working to be available again. At this moment, I cannot tell you when he will return. Maybe in 20 days, I don’t know.

“A normal path, coming from [this sort of injury], is very boring because, until the knee settles, it bothers every now and then. He is working, and he is putting all the effort possible. But at the moment, he is not available.”

Meanwhile, Allegri revealed Adrien Rabiot will feature against Fiorentina, but the clash at Allianz Stadium comes too soon for Leonardo Bonucci, who will be available for Thursday’s Europa League showdown with Nantes.

The Bianconeri head into the match only two points ahead of Fiorentina due to a 15-point deduction following an investigation into past transfer dealings.

That means they have a mammoth 14 to make up on the top four to qualify for the Champions League through their league position, but the head coach is pleased with the mood within the camp. 

“We need to improve the plays on the verticals, on the diagonals, we have these plays in our feet,” Allegri added. “In this, the team is doing well, but we are far from what we can do.

“There is a good harmony knowing that to make results you have to struggle and respect the opponent a lot.”