Before the current season ends, William Troost-Ekong has disclosed that he might still play.

But the Nigerian international said he is happy to wait until the beginning of the following season to facilitate a seamless return to action and that he is not prepared to rush his recuperation process.

The 30-year-old was hurt during the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire in 2023.

Read Also:Boniface Resumes Training With Leverkusen

In Finland, Troost-Ekong had surgery last month.

“I should be back and fit again in May, but I think it’s probably season over.

“You never know how rehab will go but I don’t want to rush it because at my tender age of 30 you have to be smart about these injuries,” Troost-Ekong told CNN World Sports.

“I want to be 100% for next season, 100% right. If I can play at the end this season that’s great, if not then I will be ready for next season.”

The PAOK Salonica player also discussed how, despite his injuries, he was able to compete at the AFCON.

“I had a torn bicep femoris, which is basically the outside part of the hamstring.

“It happened during the tournament and I think I had a small tear initially in the second group stage game against Cote d’Ivoire.

“I managed to play on and then after the final I had another MRI, and we realised it was really ruptured,” he recounted.

“It was very sore playing with it, and I couldn’t really train after the second group game. I was just trying ice to keep the swelling down.

“I might do half an hour of training the day before each game, and then during the game a combination of painkillers and adrenaline mean you can get through it.

“The day after each game it was definitely showing as I was struggling to walk.”

He added: “But thankfully now I’m sorted. I went to Finland to have surgery with Dr Lasse Lampainen who is one of the best in the world and has operated on quite a few Watford players in the past.”