Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique has announced that defenders Lucas Hernandez and Presnel Kimpembe have returned to training after recovering from long-term injuries, Soccernet.football reports.
Hernandez tore his ACL during PSG’s Champions League semi-final against Borussia Dortmund in May and subsequently underwent surgery, while Kimpembe has spent nearly two years sidelined after rupturing his Achilles.
Ahead of his team’s trip to Stade de L’Abbe Deschamps, Enrique said both players are close to rejoining first-team action but stressed the need to exercise patience before fully reintegrating them in to the team.
“These are players who are returning. Hernandez and Kimpembe have readjusted to the team,” Enrique said on Thursday as per SuperSports.
“They need rhythm, they lack the process of taking the time to train being able to help the team. The injuries are a thing of the past, and it is good news that they are back in the group.”
Les Parisiens currently lead the way in Ligue 1 with 33 points from 13 games, ahead of a tough December schedule including challenging fixtures against Lyon, Monaco and Lens.
Despite this, the PSG boss is set on tackling one game at a time, choosing to focus his attention on extending their 30-match unbeaten Ligue 1 away streak when they rock up to Auxerre on Friday.
“I think we have an intense schedule, but the idea is more or less to control the players’ workload and prepare for the matches properly,” Enrique said.
“It’s a normal schedule. Auxerre is a team with very good results at home and difficult to play. They are well-organised. We have to win.
“They’ve won a lot of home games. They’re in a good period, they’ve mastered the side reversals well..They’re on a good run, it’s going to be difficult, there’s no doubt about it.”