Juventus suffer fresh Jeff Ekhator injury concern after training setback

Juventus are facing a fresh injury concern over Jeff Ekhator after the teenage forward was forced to stop training only hours after returning to the matchday squad following his previous muscular problem.

Ekhator pulled up during Sunday morning’s open session at Continassa after feeling discomfort while sprinting and was unable to continue.

The 19-year-old went to ground before leaving the pitch with members of Juventus’ medical staff, with further examinations expected to determine the nature and severity of the problem.

No diagnosis or recovery timetable has yet been confirmed.

That is particularly significant given the timing of the setback.

Ekhator had only recently returned to full first-team training after suffering a hamstring injury during Juventus’ pre-season friendly against Basel in July.

That problem disrupted almost his entire summer preparation, but he recovered sufficiently to be included among the substitutes for Saturday night’s 2-0 Serie A victory over Parma.

He remained unused at the Allianz Stadium.

Less than 24 hours later, however, another muscular issue has placed his immediate availability back in doubt.

For Luciano Spalletti, the concern comes at an awkward point in the final days of the transfer window.

Ekhator was signed from Genoa earlier this summer as part of Juventus’ longer-term attacking plans, but his physical setbacks have limited the opportunities to integrate him into the first team.

Randal Kolo Muani currently represents Spalletti’s most established central attacking option, while the club continue to assess the composition of the forward line before the market closes.

Ekhator’s injury could therefore carry consequences beyond his own recovery if examinations indicate another significant absence.

For now, however, Juventus are waiting for medical clarity.

The only confirmed development is that Ekhator suffered fresh muscular discomfort during training and could not complete the session. Whether the problem is connected to his previous injury — and how much time he may miss — will only become clear after further assessment.