Report: Benedikt Howedes could make his Juventus debut against Sampdoria next weekend

When it comes to seeing Benedikt Howedes in Juventus-related activities, all we have to go off of are a couple of photos from training sessions posted on the club’s website and the video from his introductory press conference two months ago.

That’s it.

That’s the list.

Based on how shaky Juventus’ defense has been at times this season and the relative need for somebody else to be an option at right back in Europe, wondering when the hell the German international would make his first official appearance with the Italian champions has been quite the waiting game.

That day may actually be close to happening, according to Thursday’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Football Italia). The Italian daily is reporting that Juventus’ return from the international break against Sampdoria next weekend could very well be the day where Howedes makes first appearance for the club after arriving on loan this summer.

Yes, that’s a “maybe,” I know.

But when it comes to Howedes actually playing, it’s pretty much more than what we’ve heard so far.

Howedes’ brief tenure with Juventus this far has been marred by injury problems and the long road back to becoming fully healthy again. The cover he was expected to provide as both a central defender and a fullback has yet to be taken advantage of simply because he hasn’t been available to Max Allegri’s match day squad before the 2-1 win over Benevento this past weekend.

Now we wait to see if Howedes is good to go come next weekend. Seeing as he’s training with the other players who weren’t called up for international duty, there will be only so many chances for him to get injured. And the good thing to come out of that is that he’ll be closer and closer to actually making his Juventus debut in relatively short time — be it against Sampdoria or another game in the coming weeks.