Lewis Ferguson sets Bologna comeback timeline, reveals 'hardest part' of injury absence and discusses EPL move

The Bologna captain has been out of action since rupturing his anterior crucuiate ligament against Monza on April 13. But the Scotland midfielder is now on the comeback trail and is hoping to be back playing again next month as he looks to pick up where he left off as one of the top performers in Serie A.

Ferguson was presented with the Bulgarelli Number 8 Award in May, given to the best midfielder in the Italian top flight, after helping Bologna secure a Champions League spot last season. The injury has robbed him of the chance to play in his side's opening matches of UEFA's top competition - including trips to Anfield and Villa Park - but he reckons he could be back in time to face Monaco on November 5.

"I don't care what match I come back for, I just want to get back on the pitch," Ferguson said. "Of course the Champions League is something I'm looking forward to playing in very much. I can't do it for Aston Villa next week, but who knows for the Monaco game...

"There is no specific day, but everything is going well and I think that from towards the end of the month, I will be able to start full training with the squad and, let's say two weeks to get on the bench. But it will take time to reach the level of last season, both physically and technically.

"After the operation, you can't move, you can't walk, you're unable to do anything. Of course, I was afraid of not going back to the level I was at before. Now, however, when I run, change direction or shoot, I feel confident and I no longer think about the bad things that went through my head. I'm not afraid anymore - the fear is gone.

"The first month after the operation, I couldn't walk. It was difficult to live a normal life for someone like me, used to training every day, running, doing my job. I'm a healthy person, this is my normal life.

"It was hell. I couldn't move, when I was in one position for too long I felt pain. In those moments the worst thoughts come to you. Will I go back to playing? If I go back, maybe I won't be as strong and good as before. But once that period is over, you start to regain confidence, you start moving again and little by little you find yourself again in your movements, you feel like a footballer again."

Ferguson's update is a boost for Scotland head coach Steve Clarke who will be hoping to welcome a number of injured stars back into his squad for the November internationals. The former Aberdeen midfielder admitted that being forced to sit out Euro 2024 in the summer was the toughest part of his injury absence.

"My first thought after being hurt was that I would miss the Euros with Scotland," he told Corriere di Bologna. "When the doctors told me I wouldn't play for at least six months, everything collapsed on me. If there's one thing a player dreams of, it's to be able to represent their country in a big tournament.

"As long as I can remember, I've mostly never seen Scotland take part in a major tournament. I could have gone as a player, but I was forced to give it up - that was the hardest part of this long journey."

Ferguson was linked with a move to Juventus prior to his injury but the 25-year-old admits his ambition is to play in the Premier League in England. He said: "Receiving an offer was a possibility. Last season I played well, but football is crazy, things change quickly. Today I don't think about it anymore.

"After the injury, I used all my energy to recover as quickly as possible. I could have left and gone elsewhere, but now I'm here and I'm happy. I don't look at what could have been. Playing in the Premier League remains my dream, I don't know when but I want to get there. In Scotland I've always been a Rangers fan, in England I've always followed Chelsea: Frank Lampard played there, he was an idol.

"I would have loved to have played for Bologna at Liverpool the other week. Having the opportunity to play a match like that, in a stadium like that, is a dream for every player. It's a shame about the defeat, but I was happy with Bologna's performance. But my only dream at the moment is to get back to playing with my teammates. I have never been injured before so to miss this length of time has been very sad for me."