Armel Bella-Kotchap, who has been sidelined with a shoulder injury since early October, could shortly return to PSV Eindhoven.
Earnest Stewart, the Dutch club’s technical director, told Studio Voetbal on Sunday night, and Algemeen Dagblad relayed his statement on Monday.
The centre-back, who came to the Netherlands to escape playing in the Championship with Southampton, had been in and out of Peter Bosz’s plans in the early stages of the season before being sidelined by an upper-body ailment.
Stewart was eager to reveal information on the Germany international, and there is speculation that he might ‘give competition’ for his teammates ‘in a fortnight’, implying he could play before the end of the month.
The 22-year-old is on loan from Southampton and has no option to buy, so he will return to St Mary’s at the end of the season.
The sooner he recovers from his injury, the better for both Bella-Kotchap and the Saints, who will want him to play as much as possible between his return and the conclusion of the season in order to either reintegrate him into their squad or find another way out.
He is under contract with St Mary’s until the summer of 2026.
