Patson Daka is closing in on a return to action after stepping up his recovery from a thigh injury, with Hamburger SV head coach Merlin Polzin confirming that the Zambia striker is gradually increasing his training workload.

Daka has resumed partial team training as he works towards regaining full fitness, raising hopes that he could feature in Hamburg’s upcoming fixtures, starting with this weekend’s Bundesliga encounter against Paderborn.

The 27-year-old sustained a torn muscle fibre in his left thigh while on international duty with Zambia in September. The injury occurred during the Chipolopolo’s 3-1 defeat by Algeria in a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on 25 September.

Hamburg subsequently confirmed that an MRI scan conducted after the striker returned to Germany had established the extent of the injury, ruling him out of Zambia’s subsequent 2-0 victory over Togo.

However, the former Leicester City forward is now making encouraging progress, with Polzin indicating that he is expected to play a part in the club’s upcoming schedule.

“We are gradually increasing Pato’s workload. We have three games coming up, and he will certainly play a role again,” Polzin said.

“He feels good and is raring to go, but we also have to carefully consider which player plays in which game.”

Daka’s return would provide a timely boost for Hamburg as they prepare for a demanding run of fixtures, although the club are expected to manage his recovery carefully to avoid aggravating the injury.

Hamburg travel to Paderborn this weekend before turning their attention to a busy schedule that includes consecutive meetings with Eintracht Frankfurt in the cup and league.

Polzin, however, insists his immediate focus remains on Paderborn, with the coaching staff taking a cautious approach to players returning from injury.

For Daka, the priority will be to complete his rehabilitation and regain match fitness as he looks to resume his campaign in Germany and return to contention for Zambia.