Borussia Dortmund head coach Edin Terzić confirmed that Gio Reyna has returned to training for the first time this season.
Reyna has been battling a lingering calf injury that he suffered with the U.S. national team in June, when he was forced off at halftime of the CONCACAF Nations League final.
The 20-year-old American has been forced to miss the entirety of Dortmiund’s preseason as well as its first two regular season matches.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of Saturday’s Bundesliga match at VfL Bochum, Terzić said that Reyna was back training with his teammates, though he could only participate in some parts.
🇺🇸 Hey, Gio! 🔙 pic.twitter.com/fdrtVyX7R8
— Borussia Dortmund (@BVB) August 24, 2023
“Gio Reyna is on the pitch for the first time today and can participate in parts of training,” Terzić said.
Reyna’s return to training this week could be viewed as something of a pleasant surprise. Prior to Saturday’s Bundesliga opener at FC Köln, Terzić said he was hopeful the American could be back on the pitch within two weeks.
“Gio is OK, but Gio is not game ready at the minute, so he didn’t train with the team,” Terzić said. “So we hope that he can join us next week or the week after.
“He’s on a good way, he’s doing his running program. He’s working on his fitness level. And now we hope that he’s going to be pain free and that he can help us.”
Reyna scored a career-high seven Bundesliga goals last season despite only making four league starts.
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