Cyriel Dessers has some good news for Eric Chelle heading into the international break, confirming he has resumed complete training with Panathinaikos ahead of the new Greek season.

The 31 year old’s first year in Greece was largely lost to fitness problems, limiting him to just five league appearances and two goals after a big-money move from Rangers. Speaking to Dutch outlet BN DeStem, Dessers admitted it had been an unusually injury-hit year by his own standards, and said he felt he owed the club a strong return given the fee they paid to sign him.

He also spoke about wanting to give something back to supporters who backed him through the setbacks, saying he was now working hard to reach top physical condition and hopes to feature in Panathinaikos’ European qualifying fixtures before the Greek Super League season begins in mid-August.

The timing works well for Chelle. Nigeria open their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign in September, and a fit, sharp Dessers would give the Super Eagles boss another proven option up front alongside Victor Osimhen, Victor Boniface, Tolu Arokodare, and Paul Onuachu.

Should Dessers get minutes in Panathinaikos’ continental fixtures and start the domestic season strongly, he could arrive in Nigeria’s September camp with genuine match sharpness, adding to the competition for places in an attacking unit Chelle has repeatedly said he wants to keep contested.