Italy-based midfielder Lameck Banda has missed two of U.S Lecce’s last Serie A games due to a knee injury.
On Tuesday last week, the club announced that he “will undergo knee surgery due to right knee pain caused by the high kneecap.”
The club further revealed on Friday, ahead of their 3-0 win over Sassuolo, that the 23-year-old underwent therapeutic treatment.
Speaking to Bolanews on the same day, Banda said he will only undergo surgery once he meets the doctor this week.
“At the moment, I am not very sure but I think we will see next week how it will be,” he said. “I am supposed to go for a checkup, and if the doctor finds a big problem, they will do surgery, but for now, I am still waiting.
Banda, who missed Zambia’s games at the friendly four-nation tournament last month in Malawi, continued: “I don’t know when I will return to the pitch because even now I don’t train and am just doing some recovery treatments, but I will see next week.”
How long will Banda take to return after surgery?
Knee surgery to correct a high kneecap takes an initial 2-4 weeks to recover from the surgery itself, during which the player may need to rest, ice, and elevate the knee, according to various medical experts.
Depending on the severity of his injury, Banda may require 2-3 months of physical therapy after the initial recovery to strengthen his knee and improve his range of motion before returning to normal activities.
This has cast doubt on his chances of playing in the June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Morocco and Tanzania.
Banda has appeared in 21 matches, scoring two goals and providing four assists in Serie A.
In 15 international appearances for Zambia, he has scored three goals and provided one assist.
His potential absence from the Chipolopolo squad ahead of the World Cup qualifiers could be a major setback for Avram Grant, who played an important role in the team’s qualification for the 2023 Afcon tournament.
Many Chipolopolo Boys and Lecce fans will be hoping for a quick recovery.
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