Kitolano could recover in time for NEC’s Champions League meeting with Bodø/Glimt

Kitolano could still be available for Bodø/Glimt’s Champions League first leg against NEC after medical checks indicated that his knee injury was not serious. The former Sparta Rotterdam player suffered the problem during training last Friday when his foot caught in the grass and his knee twisted.

He stopped the session looking concerned and was subsequently assessed by Bodø/Glimt’s medical staff at the team hotel. Club doctor Morten Sørgard said on Sunday that Kitolano had made encouraging progress, leaving the Norwegian side hopeful that he could be part of the squad in Nijmegen. Sørgard described the outlook as promising but stopped short of confirming the player’s availability.

Kitolano has also expressed relief about the diagnosis. As reported by Voetbal International, he admitted the incident was “a little scary” because a twisting knee can immediately raise fears of damage to joints or ligaments. However, he said the club quickly established that the injury was not serious and that his recovery was continuing in a positive direction.

NEC host Bodø/Glimt on Wednesday, with kick-off scheduled for 21:00. The match will be the opening leg of their Champions League tie and the first time the competition’s anthem has been played at the Goffertstadion. A final decision on Kitolano’s involvement will depend on whether his improvement continues before the game.