'I hope to have him' - Manchester United issue Amad Diallo injury update with four stars set to return soon

Manchester United are set to welcome four players back from injury before the end of the season, but Joshua Zirkzee will not feature again during the current campaign.

The Dutch forward suffered a hamstring injury during the weekend defeat to Newcastle and has subsequently been ruled out for the rest of the season. It leaves United with one senior striker available for their huge Europa League quarter-final second leg against Lyon on Thursday night.

Rasmus Hojlund will lead the line against Lyon, while teenage striker Gabriele Biancheri could be named on the bench for the first time in his career. Fellow academy youngster Chido Obi is ineligible to feature in the Europa League this season, but he could be involved when they face Wolves on Sunday afternoon. Here is all of the latest United team news ahead of the biggest game of their season.

Manchester United hope to welcome back four injured players

Ruben Amorim has confirmed Matthijs de Ligt and Jonny Evans are both on schedule to return for Manchester United in the coming weeks, while Amad Diallo could be available for selection again next month. The Ivorian took part in an individual training session on Wednesday lunchtime and is being eased back into action after he suffered ankle ligament damage in February.

Ayden Heaven is the latest injury blow after he suffered a small setback earlier in the week, though there were no further updates on the availability of Toby Collyer. Lisandro Martinez is a long-term injury after he underwent successful surgery on an ACL injury, and he is expected to be ruled out for a minimum of six months.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Wednesday afternoon, Amorim issued an update on his squad ahead of the huge second leg. "Joshua is out for the season," he said. "He is not going to play anymore this season. We must prepare him for next season. It is hard for any player to stop, but it's football. He has to be ready to recover. Matthijs [De Ligt] will return. Ayden [Heaven] has a small setback. Jonny Evans is back in training, but he is not back for this game. Amad, he is not ready for this month. But I hope to have him for this season."

When further pressed on an update regarding De Ligt, the United head coach added: "He is going to return before the end of the season. He has some pain. He finished the game against Nottingham Forest. He is really working hard, he is a tough guy. We hope to have Matthijs in the next weeks."

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