Bennacer is nearing full fitness after his knee injury - but he faces a race to be ready for AFCON

Amidst an onslaught of injuries that have been slowing the Rossoneri down, there are those who are swimming against the current: Ismael Bennacer has already emerged from the knee injury that had sidelined him since May, after the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Inter.

Not only has he completed the initial phase of recovery, but he's also racing towards a return to the pitch, aiming for mid-December, which initially was expected to be in 2024. Training sessions help in bringing him closer; he's working at the Milanello training centre, partly with the team and partly on his own. For instance, on Saturday, he began training with his teammates and then continued with a personalized session while the others faced the Under-19s team in a training game. Once he tests himself in training duels, Bennacer could do the same in actual matches. It's unlikely to see him against Atalanta on 9 December but probable in the match against Monza eight days later.

Head coach Stefano Pioli wants to entrust the Algerian with the midfield's direction but risks finding himself once again without a true playmaker when the AFCON comes near. European clubs are obliged to release players to their national teams a few days earlier. This means if Bennacer is called up by Algeria's coach Djamel Belmadi, he could join the Algerian national team.

Certainly, the recovery process must be definitively completed. In this scenario, the player will also have a say: if included in the national team's list, he'll have every right to answer the call. However, Milan has no right to oppose participation in an official tournament. The condition is crucial: if Bennacer is fully fit, would he consider declining a potential call-up? It's a different case if his physical condition isn't fully restored: all parties involved – player, club, and Algeria – would share information. It's unlikely the coach would choose to enlist him if he were available only for the final phase of the competition: the team crowned Africa's champions in 2024 will be decided on Sunday, 11 February.

Bennacer's condition is his primary focus: he's working hard to speed up the process without exposing himself to risks. His sole aim currently is to return as soon as possible to serve Milan. If faced with a crossroads later, whether to focus solely on Milan or to travel to Ivory Coast, the former Arsenal player will consider which direction to take. In Rossonero, he missed the last four league matches and the return leg of last season's Champions League semi-final, and he hasn't played a minute this year. Algeria will play on 15 January against Angola, on the 20th against Burkina Faso, and on the 23rd against Mauritania in the group stage. These commitments might prevent him from participating in matches against Roma, Udinese, Bologna, and perhaps others in the new year.

Whatever happens with the AFCON, Bennacer can be safe in the knowledge the Rossoneri fans adore him. This week, he was hailed as a hero because of his words in an interview given to Instant Foot - regarding former teammate Hakan Calhanoglu, the guy who controversially swapped Milan for rivals Inter.

"Hakan wanted to stay at Milan, then I don't know what happened. When I read about his move to Inter, I said to myself: 'He couldn't have done it.' Personally, I could never do that because I respect Milan too much. Inter can offer me whatever they want, but it won't happen. I love this club. It doesn't mean I'll stay here for my entire career. I don't know what will happen in the future, but I'll never go to Inter."

The midfielder's comeback will feel like a significant addition for Milan, especially given their reliance on Yacine Adli and Rade Krunic in the "number six" position thus far. His return is eagerly awaited, as he is widely regarded as the most skilled midfielder in the squad.