Sandesh Jhingan back to training in Croatia

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 5

Down with a calf muscle injury, soon after joining Croatian First Division (Prva HNL) club HNK Sibenik, 28-year-old Chandigarh lad and Indian defender Sandesh Jhingan is now back to training on the grounds of the Croatian club. “My recovery is going well and I have started light training. Still not match fit, but working hard to achieve it,” said Jhingan.

Earlier in August, Jhingan become the first Indian footballer to be a part of the Croatian top-tier league, Prva HNL, after he completed a move from ATK Mohun Bagan to HNK Sibenik. An alumnus of Shishu Niketan School, Sector 22, and a trainee of St Stephen’s School, Sector 45, Jhingan was to make his debut for the club against Rijeka FC. However, he was ruled out due to injury.

The 28-year-old player, who was named the Indian Footballer of the Year last month, is already in Croatia. Jhingan first broke into prominence as a 21-year-old footballer in the inaugural edition of the Indian Super League in 2014 where he was adjudged the “Emerging Player of the League”, a feat that helped him earn a place in the India men’s team.