Wolfsburg sporting director Dieter Hecking has confirmed that Christian Eriksen has not yet returned to the German club, with the Danish international continuing his recovery in his homeland following the medical emergency that shocked the football world earlier this summer.
Speaking to German media, Hecking revealed that Eriksen had originally been expected to rejoin the squad ahead of Wolfsburg’s pre-season friendly against Olympique Lyon before travelling with the team to their training camp.
However, those plans have now been postponed. “The plan was for him to join the squad for the friendly against Lyon and then travel to the training camp. Unfortunately, that wasn’t possible,” Hecking said.
“He will soon begin an individual rehabilitation programme in Denmark, and that will likely take some time.” The sporting director stressed that the club’s priority is Eriksen’s health rather than his return to football.
“We are not going to put pressure on him. It is a very sensitive situation that we are handling with great responsibility.”
Hecking also admitted that there is currently no timetable for the 34-year-old’s return to action.
Eriksen collapsed during Denmark’s international friendly against Ukraine on 7 June after clutching his chest before falling to the ground. Medical staff immediately rushed onto the pitch, and after receiving emergency treatment, he regained consciousness before being taken to Odense University Hospital.
Since the incident, leading Danish cardiologist Henning Molgaard has suggested that the safest course of action would be for Eriksen to retire from professional football, warning that there is a significant risk of another collapse should he continue playing.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, Wolfsburg have made it clear they will give the former Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Ajax and Inter Milan midfielder all the time he needs to recover.
Wolfsburg are scheduled to begin their 2. Bundesliga campaign on 8 August at home against Kaiserslautern, although Eriksen is not expected to be available.
