Black Stars midfielder Abu Francis has made progress in his recovery, returning to the gym barely 25 days after suffering a horrific injury during November’s international break.

The 24-year-old fractured two bones after an awkward twist while attempting to block a shot in the defeat to Japan in a friendly match.

Francis, who was stretchered off early in the second half, underwent surgery at Toyota Memorial Hospital.

The procedure was coordinated through the efforts of head of Black Stars medical team, Dr. Prince Pambo, alongside Toulouse FC medical staff and Japanese surgeons.

“Francis Abu is making steady progress in his rehabilitation after he hit the gym this week as part of his recovery process,” the Ghana FA announced in a statement.

“His current state is another phase of the rehabilitation process… [the FA] wishes to state that the player is doing extremely well and will get back to full fitness.”

His absence is expected to be lengthy given the nature of the injury, but beginning training offers some optimism in his race to be fit ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Francis, who recently joined Toulouse from Cercle Brugge, earned a recall for the November friendlies after missing Ghana’s September and October World Cup qualifiers.