The Nigerian striker has been out of action after suffering a hand injury during the club’s UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash with Liverpool earlier this month. He later underwent a successful operation at Maslak Acıbadem Hospital in Istanbul and has since been discharged.

Osimhen is expected to spend several weeks on the sidelines, ruling him out of upcoming fixtures, including games against Trabzonspor, Göztepe, Kocaelispor, and Gençlerbirliği. However, reports suggest he is targeting a return for the high-profile derby, provided his recovery continues without setbacks.

The forward himself has expressed confidence about making a comeback in time, assuring club president Dursun Özbek that he will be ready and determined to help the team push for the title.

The timing could be decisive, as Galatasaray currently sit at the top of the league table with a narrow lead, making the clash with Fenerbahçe a potentially title-defining encounter.

If his recovery takes longer than expected, Osimhen may only feature in the final matches of the season. He will also be hoping his team progresses further in the Turkish Cup, where they remain in contention.

Before his injury, the former Napoli striker had been in outstanding form, delivering impressive numbers in both domestic and European competitions.