Eduardo in training for first time since February

By Randy Osae

It had been a long absence –  which many expected to end very far from now.

But on Wednesday afternoon, Eduardo da Silva made an emotional return to training and pretty much announced his incredible return to football after that brutal wound he suffered at Birmingham over nine months ago.

He reportedly received a lot of embracing talks from teammates at Arsenal’s Hertfordshire based training ground.

It’s uncertain whether Wenger will needlessly risk playing him immediately, but Eduardo – who almost endured a leg amputation had it not been former physio, Gary Lewin’s heroics – will be expected to demand some firm preparation before getting back to combative business on the pitch.

Arsenal coach Boro Primorac addressed the Croatian striker’s progress.

“Eduardo is for the first time today [Wednesday] practicing with the team after his serious injury,” Primorac told Sportske Novosti.

“Of course, he worked with reduced capacity, mainly stretching and jogging. He is not yet at the stage where he can go into full contact, but it will come.

“I cannot tell you exactly when Eduardo will play the first match. That will be when it is decided that he is completely ready.

“It is clear that the first match Eduardo will play will be for the reserves, before gradually joining the top team.”