Manager Lee Johnson says Benik Afobe is hopeful of returning to Bristol City on Monday. The popular on-loan Stoke City striker has been out of action since September after cruelly suffering an ACL injury just five matches and three goals into his Robins career. Yet his rehabilitation is going well and, whilst Johnson does not expect to have Afobe available for selection any time soon, he says the 27-year-old is hopeful of coming back to the Robins next week. please log in to view this image Benik Afobe of Bristol City Johnson said: "He is looking to come back into the group on Monday, I wouldn't expect any sort of Afobe in a matchday shirt yet but what that shows you is he's ready to upgrade his training a little bit on the grass and in the gym. "That's really positive, both as a lad, good to get him back, he's been a positive supporter of the boys, and it will be great to see him. "Even better to see him out on the grass and training hopefully in the not too distant future." Afobe has been a popular figure at Ashton Gate since his loan move, and has regularly voiced his support for the Robins on social media. please log in to view this image Bristol City striker Benik Afobe's wife opens up on trauma of losing daughter Amora please log in to view this image Markus Henriksen labels Hull City treatment unfair after being frozen out before Bristol City move The former Arsenal striker even delighted City fans by appearing in the away end during their 1-0 win at QPR earlier this month, and Johnson said he expects Afobe will have a big part to play in the end-of-season run-in, both on and off the pitch. "For all of us but also for him as well,"Johnson said. "He really enjoys it here, he really enjoys the environment and wants to get back into it as soon as possible. "Both on and off the pitch, Benik can be really effective for us in the run-in." Afobe has been undergoing rehabilitation with former Arsenal physio Ray Lewin and recently posted a video of himself doing some keepy-uppies before transitioning into stepovers and going for a run.
Hope his rehabilitation is handled carefully, and that his injury and personal tragedy don't prevent him becoming the player he was for us before all of this.
I agree, I hope I’m wrong but I can’t see him being ready this season , not at any kind of level anyway, it’ll next season at the earliest , now we’ve got Wells unless Fam is sold in the summer I can’t see Afobe staying here . Listening to Lee’s interview though he may have an affect off the pitch , in training and maybe as an impact player if we get into the playoffs.
