Flamengo manager Dorival Júnior has told reporters that he will not allow Adriano to rush back into first-team action, regardless of the player’s wishes.
Adriano, 30, returned to full-training with his side on Friday, prompting calls from some quarters for his immediate return to the first-team set-up.
The former Internacional manager, though, once more made clear that he will insist on patience regarding the former international, to ensure the striker returns in suitable condition to make a positive impact.
“At the moment, no. I must first wait for the decision of the medical department,” Dorival told journalists, when asked if he would be selecting Adriano on the bench this weekend.
“As soon as the doctors give me positive feedback, the player will become my responsibility and we will decide the right time to bring him back. I made that clear from the start, regardless of what the player thinks. I want to make sure we don’t expose the player too soon.
“Yesterday was Adriano’s first real work-out, his first normal session with the team without having felt an injury. There is still a way to go to have confidence in his fitness.”
