Shanghai Shenhua striker Didier Drogba could make his debut in Sunday’s Chinese Super League clash with Guangzhou R&F but only off the bench.
The 34-year-old Ivorian striker arrived in China eight days ago to a huge welcome but is yet to make his debut for the club, missing their mid-week Chinese FA Cup clash with Changchun Yatai as he builds his fitness.
Shanghai Shenhua coach Sergio Batista said Drogba could be handed his debut despite not being 100 percent fit.
“He is a player who could score many goals. We really expect some great performances in the future,” Batista said after the mid-week clash with Changchun.
“But the truth is now he has not touched a ball in a few days. However on Sunday, we might let him play for about 30 minutes.
“He needs to reach 100 percent fitness step by step.”
Referring to the cup clash with Changchun Yatai, Batista said: “Didier Drogba still had some difficulty with his physical condition.
“We discussed this before the match. I asked Didier if he was ready for the game and he told me his condition was not good.”
