Falcao could make return from injury at Emirates

Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim expects Colombia striker Radamel Falcao to make his long-awaited comeback from injury at the Emirates Stadium next weekend.

Falcao was ruled out of the rest of the 2013-14 season and subsequently missed the World Cup finals in Brazil after suffering extensive knee ligament damage in January.

The 28-year-old has spent the summer stepping up his recovery and looks set to run out for Monaco for the first time in six months when they tackle Valencia — and then potentially either Arsenal or Benfica —at the Emirates Cup tournament, over the weekend of August 2-3.

Jardim said: “I think he will be able to start playing again at the Emirates Cup. He is now in the final phase of his recuperation.”

Falcao moved to big-spending Monaco from Atletico Madrid for a reported €60 million last summer and scored nine league goals before his campaign was ended by injury.

The former Porto striker has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid, who have just signed his Colombia team-mate James Rodriguez, but Jardim is counting on him being available for selection at the Stade Louis II when the club’s domestic season starts against Lorient on August 10.

“For now, he is a Monaco player and I am counting on him,” Jardim added.