Flamengo striker Adriano could still regain fitness in time to make his debut against Atlético MG at the end of September, according to the club’s physiologist Claudio Pavanelli.
The 30-year-old striker signed a performance-based contract at the Engenhão last month and has been taking part in a specially designed training programme, aimed at helping him get back to full fitness.
However, Adriano has missed two training sessions, and was subsequently warned, meaning there is no date set for his debut but Pavanelli thinks the striker is doing well and could start normal training later this month.
He said: “I can’t say anything on the issue of a date. It is difficult to say anything.
“There are many experiments to see various situations that anticipate a delay. Of course what everyone wants to know is when debut, but it is difficult to anticipate this.
“He [Adriano] trained in the group [on Friday morning], and trained well, but it does not mean he will be able to play next week.
“He did a workout with players left over from the group, in a game on a reduced field, and he put one hundred percent into the activity, which is why he"ll be able to play soon."
After facing Atlético-MG, Flamengo have a derby clash with Fluminense on September 30 at the Estadio Olímpico Joao Havelange, but Flamengo have avoided setting this date as Adriano’s debut.
