When will Paulo Dybala return for Juventus?

The Argentine attacker has played just 11 Serie A games for Juventus in what has been an injury-ravaged campaign.

Juventus manager Andrea Pirlo has revealed Paulo Dybala hasn’t resumed training on the ball yet, meaning the forward’s wait for a return to action will continue until after the international break.

Dybala has been sidelined with a knee injury since a 3-1 win over Sassuolo on January 10. He has made only 16 appearances in all competitions this season, including 11 in Serie A, and his absence has been felt.

Juventus have crashed out of the Champions League and slipped 10 points behind Serie A leaders Inter Milan during his spell on the sidelines.

And while Dybala has made progress on his recovery lately, Pirlo has all but ruled him out for Sunday’s match against Benevento.

“Dybala is still training without the ball,” said the Bianconeri boss in his pre-match conference.

“[Training with the ball] will be the last step before returning to the pitch.

“Unfortunately, he hasn’t been available and we haven’t had him at 100%. I speak to him often, he wants to play, he is eager but calm.”

🎙 @Pirlo_official: "@PauDybala_JR is still training without the ball, it will be the last step before returning to the pitch. Unfortunately, he hasn't been available and we haven't had him at 100%. I speak to him often, he wants to play, he is eager but calm."#JuveBenevento

— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) March 20, 2021

When could ‘La Joya’ return?

The COVID-19 outbreak has forced the South American football’s governing body, CONMEBOL, to postpone two rounds of its World Cup qualifiers in March. Therefore, Dybala won’t report to Argentina over the international break.

According to Sky Sport Italia, Pirlo hopes to welcome him back by Easter for the last hurdle of the club’s Scudetto campaign.

So if things go to plan, ‘La Joya’ could make a comeback in time for the Turin derby on April 4 away to Torino. Otherwise, he’ll aim for the match against Napoli four days later or against Genoa on April 11.