AMSTERDAM – Molde FK winger Josh Gatt has been cleared for a return to full training, potentially placing him just weeks away from making his first competitive appearance for the club in nearly two years.
The 23-year-old Michigan native originally tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and lateral collateral ligaments late in the first half of a 3-1 Tippeligaen win over Sarpsborg 08 in June 2013. Eleven months into that recovery process, Gatt re-injured the ACL, requiring a second surgery.
Another 11 months of grueling rehab later, Norwegian champs Molde believe they should have their US international back on the playing field in about a month.
"He's doing well," Molde medical staff chief Lars Håvard Sæbø told MLSsoccer.com. "We did some strength tests on him last week, and they looked good."
Back in December, the doctor predicted to MLSsoccer.com that Gatt would return with all of his trademark speed and cutting ability, based on similar tests done at the time. The latest results seem to support Sæbø's winter prediction.
The only thing left to figure out is his exact path back to the first team and whether it will include a fitness detour with the reserves. That decision will be made by Molde manager Tor Ole Skullerud, who has already been getting sneak previews of what's to come from Gatt in training.
"He has been joining in [some of the full-squad] drills for four weeks, the passing drills and things like that," reported Sæbø. "Now, this is the last step. The plan is to get him back playing in 3-4 weeks."
Gatt, who had already amassed eight goals, 12 assists and a pair of league crowns in 67 Molde appearances when his shelf stay began nearly two years ago, will now try to blend back into an attack that has hit nine times in the first three games of the season.
If all goes to schedule, Gatt could be available for selection when Bob Bradley's Stabæk visit on May 16.
