Juventus breathe easy as Ekhator's hamstring strain proves minor

In the early hours of Monday at the J Medical centre, Juventus staff examined Jeff Ekhator after he limped off the pitch during Saturday’s friendly against Basel. Radiological scans confirmed the young striker suffered only a low‑grade strain of the biceps femoris in his right thigh, a detail that lifted the club’s spirits.

The examinations, carried out on Monday morning, revealed the injury to be a minor hamstring strain rather than a more serious problem. The scans specifically identified a low‑grade strain of the biceps femoris, confirming the issue lay in the right thigh.

Following the diagnosis, Ekhator has already begun a structured rehabilitation programme aimed at returning him to action as quickly as possible. The club emphasized that the rehab process is underway and focused on restoring full fitness.

Luciano Spalletti expressed relief at the clarification, noting he had been forced to withdraw the new signing inside the opening half‑hour of his debut. The manager had feared a more significant setback, but the low‑grade nature of the strain eased his concerns.

Initial reports had split between a thigh muscle problem and a possible knee issue, creating uncertainty in the immediate aftermath. Juventus’ medical examinations have now clarified the injury as a hamstring strain, removing earlier speculation.

The timing of the injury was a chief concern, arriving at the very start of pre‑season for a player just integrating into his new surroundings. Such a setback could have disrupted Juventus’ preparation plans.

While no exact return date has been set, a low‑grade strain typically entails a short recovery period, offering reassurance as Juventus continue their summer rebuild that still hinges on the arrival of a marquee centre‑forward.

A photograph taken in Genoa, Italy on SEPTEMBER 25, 2025 shows Jeff Ekhator watching the Coppa Italia clash between Genoa CFC and Empoli at Stadio Luigi Ferraris. The image, captured by Simone Arveda for Getty Images, underscores his presence in Italy during the competition.