FC Porto defender Zaidu Sanusi is set to make his long-awaited return to competitive football after a challenging 10-month injury layoff. The 27-year-old has been included in Porto’s 26-man squad for tonight’s UEFA Europa League clash against Anderlecht, marking a significant milestone in his recovery.

Sanusi’s last competitive match for Porto was in February, when he played against CF Estrela. His absence was due to a serious cruciate ligament injury sustained shortly after returning from international duty, which sidelined him for nearly a year. During this time, he focused on rehabilitation to regain his fitness.

To build match fitness and confidence, Sanusi made a few appearances for Porto’s B team last month, a crucial step in his recovery process.

Porto’s Europa League campaign has been challenging, with only four points from their first four matches, leaving them in 22nd place in the standings. Sanusi’s return is seen as a potential boost for the team as they aim to improve their fortunes in the competition.