The latest update from Shanghai Shenhua's Cao Yunding is that he has been given the go-ahead to return to training after undergoing surgery on his left knee.
Cao, who was injured in a collision with a car earlier this month, had undergone surgery to repair a torn ligament in his knee. The surgery was carried out by a team of surgeons at the Chinese Football Association (CFA) hospital in Beijing.
The operation was successful and Cao is expected to be fully recovered within the next few weeks. However, he will still need to undergo further rehabilitation before he can resume playing for Shanghai Shenhua.
Shanghai Shenhua's manager, Guan Xuejun,Chinese Super League Matches said that they were "extremely disappointed" to hear about Cao's injury but also praised him for his determination and resilience.
"I am very sorry to hear about Cao's injury," Guan said. "He is a hardworking player who has made a lot of contributions to the team over the years. We wish him a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him back in the lineup."
Cao's injuries have come as a blow to Shanghai Shenhua, who are currently leading the Chinese Super League standings with 52 points from their last 16 games. However, Guan emphasized that the club would continue to support Cao and his teammates throughout his recovery process.
"We want to see him play again and we believe that he will bounce back stronger than ever," Guan added. "We will do everything possible to help him recover and get back to full fitness."