FC Porto manager Francesco Farioli has welcomed Zaidu Sanusi back to pre-season training after the defender was granted an extended holiday following his international commitments with the Super Eagles in June.
The left-back was handed playing time by Eric Chelle during Nigeria's June internationals, featuring in the Super Eagles' 2-2 draw with Poland and their narrow 2-1 defeat to Portugal.
According to Portuguese sports daily A Bola, Zaidu returned to the club alongside Bednarek, Jakub Kiwior, Pietuszewski, Victor Froholdt, Prpic, and Pablo Rosario, all of whom were given additional time off after representing their respective national teams at the beginning of June.
The returning players will first undergo routine medical examinations and physical fitness tests before rejoining the rest of the squad for Monday afternoon's training at the Olival training complex.
Their return comes as FC Porto intensify preparations for the new season under the guidance of the coaching staff, with the Portuguese champions set to increase the workload in the coming days.
From Tuesday, the team will begin double training sessions at Olival as part of a demanding pre-season programme designed to prepare the players for what is expected to be a physically challenging campaign across domestic and European competitions.
Last season, Zaidu, who has entered the final year of his contract at Porto, recorded 26 appearances in all competitions, scoring once and providing two assists.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
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