When it comes to injuries there is no footballer who has been as unlucky as AC Milan's Alessandro Nesta. The former Italian international has been hampered by various ailments throughout his career and once again, injury has struck in the early stages of this Serie A season.

However, there's good news finally on the way for the veteran centre back. After just 10 days of light training, Nesta is nearing a return to football and there is a good chance he could play at the San Siro next weekend against Sampdoria.

The former Lazio defender, who is yet to feature in a single minute of football thus far this season, has been running and undertaking light training exercises on the field and workouts in the gym separately from his teammates over the past week or so.

All of these appear to assist his recovery in quick time, as the 32-year-old will return to full training next week.

Team doctor Massimo Manara is pleased with Nesta’s progress and feels that the signs for Nesta “are getting more and more positive by the day. From Monday, he will return to full training with the rest of the team”.

It’s a welcome return to the Italian topflight for a man that has been hampered by injury at three successive World Cups, including 2006 in Germany, where he missed the final which Italy went on to win.

Nesta has made 227 appearances for Milan since he joined them from Lazio in 2002, scoring five goals for the club.

Goal.com