After a lengthy torn ACL injury, Ostoja Stjepanovikj has been cleared by doctors to return to game action.

The 30-year-old Ostoja Stjepanovikj will play for the reserve club of Wisła Kraków this Saturday. That will mark his first game action in over 8 months. The reason for his long absence was a devastating torn ACL injury. The recovery period for an ACL tear is 6-9 months, so his return falls in that timeline.

Stjepanovikj is a defensive midfielder, a position that is lacking quality depth on the national team, but obviously Ostoja is not a candidate at this time. He has a long ways to go in terms of getting back into playing shape. Plus, there is also a psychological element. When you have such an injury, you also have to regain self-confidence in terms of being able to feel comfortable running, twisting and cutting on that knee. Many times, the psychological element is just as difficult when a player returns from an ACL tear.