PAUL POGBA has decided to avoid surgery for a knee injury in favour of alternative treatment ahead of the Qatar World Cup.
The Frenchman, 29, was diagnosed with a lesion of the lateral meniscus in his right knee after suffering a sprain in pre-season just a few weeks after re-joining Juventus on a free transfer.
He was offered the opportunity to undergo surgery – which would keep him out of action for up to five months – earlier this week.
But, he has instead opted to seek an alternative method of treatment in a bid to keep his World Cup hopes alive.
Other treatment methods could limit Pogba’s time out to just five weeks, leaving him plenty of time to regain his fitness levels before the tournament kicks off in November.
However, this could make him more susceptible to re-injuring his knee more severely in future.
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According to Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport, the midfielder is expected to spend at least three weeks in the gym when treatment starts, where he will complete numerous physiotherapy and hydrotherapy sessions along with light exercises in a bid to maintain some fitness.
He will then train alone before joining up with the rest of the Juventus squad.
Pogba could return to the pitch as soon as next month, as long as his treatment is successful.
Juventus are claimed to be in the market for a new midfielder to fill the temporary void left by the former Manchester United man.
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Massimiliano Allegri is reportedly keen on the prospect of bringing Saul Niguez to the Allianz Stadium.
The 27-year-old spent last season on loan at Chelsea, but he failed to make an impact.
Atletico Madrid are eager to sell him before the transfer window slams shut next month, so Juventus could get him for a cut-price fee.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
