Hibernian defender Rocky Bushiri has returned to individual training, as he continues to make progress in his recovery from an Achilles tendon injury.
The 26-year-old has not made an appearance this season, after sustaining the injury during a 1-0 defeat to Motherwell on the final day of the 2025/26 campaign.
Cruelly, that forced the DR Congo internationalist to miss out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Bushiri had been called up to the squad, who had to head to the tournament for the first time in 52 years without him on the plane.
The centre-half has been working hard behind the scenes, hoping to get back to fitness this winter.
However, such is the nature of his injury, offering an accurate timeline for his return is not something manager Marink Reedijk has been able to do.
Reedijk told the Edinburgh Evening News that, although Bushiri is 'doing well' in his rehabilitation, it may still be some time before he is available for selection.
“Rocky is back on the pitch; he's doing some running, he's doing well," Reedijk revealed.
"But also, this takes a couple more weeks, months, because that's always very tricky injury."
Although he has not been around on the pitch, Bushiri has gotten to know the new manager in and around the training centre.
“I’ve spoken to him," Reedijk continued. "He sits down, he comes for a coffee now and then - he doesn't drink coffee, though.
"But we speak, because he also speaks Dutch, so we can speak in our language and it makes things easier. He knows a few people in Belgium I know.
"So yeah, we have regular chats.”
In August, Bushiri travelled with the squad to Gent, returning to the country he grew up in as his teammates contested the UEFA Conference League playoff round.
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There, he reflected on the 'difficult time' he experienced immediately after the injury, and the support he received from his colleagues.
He also asserted that we would 'be back', as he opened up on his rehabilitation.
"I would love to be able to give a time, but it's difficult. It depends always on how I feel," he said.
"But I'm in good hands; I'm doing the right stuff, to come back better than before. I am aiming, and we are aiming, for closer towards the winter – but it is difficult to give you a timeline.
"But, just be sure that I will be back."
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