Sergej Jakirovic says Eliot Matazo continues to make good progress in his recovery from a second ACL injury as he looks to step up his comeback.
Matazo suffered a devastating setback less than 10 minutes into his comeback at Charlton Athletic in City’s final away game of the Championship season, injuring his right knee.
The Belgian international has only just got back on the pitch after spending more than a year out with a damaged left knee, which he sustained at Cardiff City in January 2025.
Since April 25, Matazo has undergone surgery and is now well on the way to making his latest return, which is hoped will come early next year.
Matazo’s recovery last year was hampered by a host of setbacks, but Jakirovic says so far, the 24-year-old midfielder has suffered nothing like the problems he encountered previously.
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“Eliot is back in Belgium,” Jakirovic told Hull Live. “I think last time we spoke here, he had one strength test, and he’s doing good. He’s very happy with his recovery, so everything is fine. There have been no issues during recovery until now, which is good. He struggled with hamstring issues last time, but this is normal.”
Naturally, for a player who spent 13 months recovering from his last serious knee injury, to then damage the other one in his first game back, it will have taken a huge psychological toll on the youngster.
Matazo had only recently moved to England earlier in that season, when he suffered his injury in South Wales, but Jakirovic says his player is dealing well with the recovery.
“I don’t know (when he will be back). It’s now almost six months, so it’s good, but he needs another three months. He’s very positive, optimistic, and he’s good.”
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