Francis Uzoho appears to be nearing a return to fitness three months after sustaining a career-threatening injury in what is a boost for the Super Eagles.

The 21-year-old severed knee ligaments when he landed awkwardly during Nigeria’s international friendly against Brazil on 13 October in Singapore.

He was forced off in the 63rd minute of the match and subsequently underwent surgery in Spain.

Initial prognosis put his time of recovery at six-months but it appears the Deportivo La Coruna goalie is in line to beat that estimate and make a faster than expected recovery in what is a boost for the Super Eagles.

In his absence, national team manager Gernot Rohr has had to recall Kaizer Chiefs’ Daniel Akpeyi for the 2021 AFCON qualifiers against the Benin Republic and Lesotho.

But it appears that Rohr will soon have the 16-cap Uzoho available although not in time for Nigeria’s next round of AFCON qualifiers against Sierra Leone.

Taking to Instagram, Uzoho who was on loan at AC Omonia of Cyprus from his Spanish club before the injury, posted a video of himself undergoing strenuous workouts as his rehabilitation continues apace. 

The goalkeeper expressed sadness at the time spent on the sidelines but indicated that he is fast approaching a return to action.

“90days after my surgery. I’ve really missed being out there on the field😭 #what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. I’m getting stronger and will be back soon,” Uzoho wrote.