Mike Maignan was supposed to be out of action for ten weeks due to wrist surgery. Some outlets suggested he might be back in January after going under the knife in mid-October. Instead, the rehab has gone better than anticipated. The goalkeeper has clinically healed and practiced fully this week, La Repubblica reports.
Maignan is pushing to return between the sticks Sunday against Sassuolo. It is not sure it will happen this weekend, but the standout will resume starting at some point in December. It is a certainty that he will be present for the pivotal clash against Napoli.
Thanks to a special exception for goalies, Maignan was excluded from the UEFA list. The Frenchman originally got hurt in the first clash with Liverpool. He tried to play through the issue. Since the pain was persistent and the situation was not improving, he and the club opted for the operation.
Milan signed free agent Antonio Mirante to make up for his absence. However, Ciprian Tatarusanu has played in every game since the starter went down. He is coming off his first blunder of the season against Fiorentina, where he could not corral a corner kick, and Alfred Duncan punched it in. He had saved a penalty kick in the Derby.
The Rossoneri signed Maignan for €14M from Lille last summer to replace Gianluigi Donnarumma, who left as a free agent. He excelled in the early going, logging 27 saves, 10 goals allowed and 3 clean sheets in the first 9 matches.