Smalling makes long-awaited return to Roma training alongside Renato Sanches

Chris Smalling made his long-anticipated return to Roma training on Thursday, having missed the vast majority of the 2023-24 season through injury, while Rentao Sanches also took part in sections of Daniele De Rossi’s session.

According to reports from Il Corriere dello Sport, Smalling was sent out to test his condition alongside his teammates. Pictures and videos of his involvement in the warm-up have been circulating online over the last few hours.

The former Manchester United centre-back has not featured for the Giallorossi since the 2-1 loss against Milan on September 3. Though he had played 90 minutes in all three of Roma’s first games of the season, he has not been able to return since.

Smalling has been out with a long-term tendonitis issue in his knee, and according to reports elsewhere, he decided against having surgery, as at 34 years of age, he may not have had much of a career left after his recovery period.

It is expected that Smalling will still require plenty of sessions before he is able to return to Serie A action.

Meanwhile, Renato Sanches was also involved in Roma’s training session on Thursday.

He has only managed five Serie A appearances since arriving on loan from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer and has not featured since the 20 loss against Bologna in mid December.