Victor Boniface‘s return to competitive action has been postponed due to a minor setback encountered during his rehabilitation process at Bayer Leverkusen.
This development was reported by Sky Sports News reporter Marlon Irlbacher on Sunday, noting, “According to B04, Victor Boniface’s return to play has been delayed due to a small setback in the rehabilitation phase.”
This indication of delay has raised concerns among fans and analysts alike, particularly with Boniface’s previous impact on the team.
As a result of this setback, Boniface’s specific return date remains uncertain. It appears that he is almost certain to miss the upcoming crucial clash against Borussia Dortmund next week, and he would likely also be sidelined for the following match against Mainz, scheduled for January 14.
Despite his absence, Leverkusen has managed to navigate recent fixtures without significant issues, demonstrating the depth of their squad. Coach Xabi Alonso has noted the stiff competition among his players, particularly highlighting the rivalry between Boniface and young striker Patrik Schick.
Alonso stated, “I have difficulty in choosing players to use in all the positions, which I appreciate. What we want is for everyone to be in contention for a position, as it helps everyone improve and benefit the team.
“With so many games on the horizon, every player will get their chance. However, both Patrik Schick and Victor Boniface must perform at their best. We need Boniface to be fully fit so that he can move past his injury concerns; he’s putting in a lot of hard work on the training pitch and we expect him to contribute with goals upon his return.”
Boniface’s potential impact on the squad is backed by an impressive track record. After joining Bayer Leverkusen from Royale Union SG last year, the 24-year-old Nigerian striker ended the previous season with remarkable statistics, netting 21 goals and providing 10 assists across 34 appearances.