Ghana defender Mohammed Salisu has taken another significant step in his recovery from a serious knee injury after featuring for 75 minutes in AS Monaco's 2-0 friendly victory over Italian side Pisa last Saturday.
The 27-year-old centre-back was handed a starting role as Monaco used the friendly to give several players valuable playing time during the international break, with Salisu showing encouraging signs of a return to full fitness.
The outing was particularly significant for the Ghana international, who has endured an eight-month absence after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury to his left knee in January.
Salisu sustained the injury during Monaco's 3-1 defeat to Lyon, a setback that ruled him out of Ghana's campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
After months of rehabilitation, the former Southampton defender made his first competitive appearance since the injury on September 18, when he came off the bench in Monaco's 2-1 Ligue 1 victory over Lens.
His 75-minute appearance against Pisa, therefore, represents another important stage in his rehabilitation as he gradually builds up his match fitness and confidence.
Salisu started the game alongside a number of Monaco's established players, including Japan international Takumi Minamino. Ansu Fati, who returned to full team training two weeks ago, also started as Monaco continued to manage the fitness of players returning from injury.
Before his injury, Salisu had established himself as an important option in Monaco's defence, while his physical strength, pace and ability to play out from the back have also made him a useful asset for Ghana.
His return will consequently be welcome news for the Black Stars, particularly as Ghana looks to rebuild its squad following their disasterous start to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualfiers as he hopes to put himself in contention for a recall to the Black Stars.
