Lille manager Davide Ancelotti made a comment via the French newspaper ``L'Equipe'' regarding the timing of the return of Japanese national team forward Kiyo Ueda, who is currently sidelined with an injury. Ueda made his first move to Europe's five major leagues this summer, and although he has appeared in six official games with Lille and scored three goals, he tore his plantar fascia in the third round of the Champions League against Arsenal on the 13th, and is currently concentrating on treatment.
Manager Ancelotti emphasized that Ueda is recovering well and said he expects him to return after the international match week in November. However, depending on the progress of his recovery, there is a possibility that he may return to action before the national team. On the 30th, he attended a press conference the day before the match against RC Reims in Round 9 of Ligue 1, and stated that he was aiming for Ueda's return against Rennes. If it is difficult for him to return against Rennes, he said that the match against Lyon would be a possibility.
Ueda is expected to be absent from the match against RC Reims and against Bodet/Glimt in Round 4 of the CL League phase, but Ancelotti is aware that he could be on the pitch as early as next month's match against Rennes. The match against Lyon will be on November 21st, after the international match week, and it is expected that he will face off against Japanese player Keito Nakamura.
Ueda has established himself as the Japan national team's ace striker, and it is thought that it will be difficult for him to participate in next month's match against Brazil on the 14th and against Paraguay on the 17th. With the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 coming up in January next year, it is hoped that he will make an early return. The timing of Ueda's return will be watched closely as the tournament marks the culmination of the Hajime Moriyasu regime.