Mike Maignan returns to team training after injury woes

AC Milan have been boosted by the return of goalkeeper Mike Maignan, who has rejoined first-team training after seeing his season derailed by a series of injuries.

According to Gianluca Di Marzio, the French goalkeeper completed the entire training session with the team at the Milanello.

The Frenchman initially suffered the injury on international duty during the September international break, coming off at half-time in a Nations League clash with Austria.

He missed several games before returning to training but suffered another setback that derailed his return to the first team and sidelined him longer than expected.

Maignan’s return will be a massive boost to Stefano Pioli’s side, who are preparing to welcome Atalanta to the San Siro next weekend.

Milan hope to have the Frenchman back in the squad for the crunch tie against fellow top-four aspirants, and his condition will be monitored daily. 

The Rossoneri are desperate to avoid any more setbacks to their first-choice shot-stopper, and it will be up to the medical staff and Pioli to decide whether or not to start the 27-year-old on Sunday.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Alessandro Florenzi have also returned to training after missing the first half of the season through injury.

Davide Calabria and Ismael Bennacer are also back on the grass and did some light individual routines following their return from injury but did not partake in the team training.

Maignan’s injury problems have seen him feature just nine times between the sticks in all competitions this season while managing two clean sheets.

Ciprian Tatarusanu has deputised for the Frenchman and kept a clean sheet in his last three appearances.

Milan look to have turned a corner following a turbulent January period that saw the champions slip down to fourth place in Serie A.

However, they have won each of their last three games in all competitions, including a 1-0 first-leg victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League.

They will be looking to build on their newfound form when free-scoring Atalanta visit the San Siro.