Paris Saint-Germain has received a major injury boost just over a week before its Champions League last-16 first-leg tie against Liverpool in the French capital, with teenage sensation Warren Zaire-Emery returning to first-team training.
Zaire-Emery, the 18-year-old midfielder, has been sidelined with an ankle sprain which he sustained during PSG’s Champions League win over the German outfit Stuttgart at the end of January. In his absence, Luis Enrique's men have continued their recent scintillating form, remaining unbeaten in Ligue 1. It also beat Stade Brest 10-0 on aggregate to book the date with Liverpool.
With more season-defining games coming up — not least the double-header against Arne Slot's flying side — Zaire-Emery looks set to be able to take part. The French international has had been training individually in recent days but has now made a full return to rejoin his teammates, according to L'Equipe.
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PSG plays Stade Briochin in the quarter-finals of the Coupe de France on Wednesday. It then hosts Lille in Ligue 1 at the weekend before the Champions League tie next week. Zaire-Emery could play a part in each of those games.
Zaire-Emery has played 29 times for PSG this season. He was linked with a move to Liverpool last month but it under contract until 2029 and has already made more than 100 appearances for the French giant.
"At this stage of the competition, the quality of opponent is only going to be of a very high standard," Slot told Liverpool's official website after the last-16 draw had taken place. "In PSG we have drawn a team and a club with real European pedigree.
"They qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League in style earlier this week with a big win against Brest. They had some really good results in the league phase, defeating Stuttgart, Manchester City, Girona and Salzburg.
"As is the case with ourselves, PSG are top of their domestic league and are enjoying a long unbeaten run. This tells us all that we need to know about the challenge that we will face but it is also a challenge that we will look forward to, knowing that we also fully deserve to be in the last 16."
Liverpool.com says: PSG is a tough draw for Liverpool and Zaire-Emerty represents the new look for the French giant. Neymar and Lionel Messi have moved on and Enrique is putting together a younger, more vibrant collection of players. The 18-year-old is definitely one of them and could play a big part in the tie now he is back fit again.
