Lewis Ferguson named in Bologna's Champions League squad after Scotland star issues injury update

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Lewis Ferguson appears to be one step closer to a return to action after the Bologna skipper was included in his side's Champions League squad for the revamped group phase.The Scottish star played a pivotal role in I Rossoblu's charge to a fifth place finish in Serie A last season, only to suffer a serious knee injury in the penultimate month of the campaign that brought Ferguson's season to a premature end and also robbed him of the chance to represent his country at Euro 2024.

The severity of the problem required the 25-year-old to go under the knife, and it was initially feared that he would not be able to make his return until the turn of the year.But boss Vincenzo Italiano is confident that he will have the former Aberdeen and Hamilton Accies man back sooner rather than later after naming him in the 25-man roster for Bologna's first appearance in Europe's elite club competition since they won the league title back in 1964.

The Stadio Renato Dall'Ara side will have it all to do if they want to progress to the knockout rounds, having been drawn against the likes of Liverpool, Monaco and Benfica in their eight Champions League fixtures.Ferguson is unlikely to be available for the side's first three European clashes against Shakhtar Donetsk, Liverpool and Aston Villa, but in a recent interview with il Resto del Carlino, hinted that he could make his comeback on matchday three against Monaco on November 5.He said: "It's good.

Rehab is proceeding well and I feel strong. I am now training outside on the pitch. Everything (has been) good post-surgery, so it hopefully won't be long. "For the first Champions League game I can't promise anything but maybe in two months I will be ready to play."