BUENOS AIRES, Oct. 10 -- Colombian international playmaker Juan Fernando Quintero is set to return to action for River Plate after almost seven months on the sidelines with a knee injury.
The 26-year-old has returned to full training and was included in River's 18-man preliminary squad for Friday's Copa Argentina quarterfinal against Almagro.
Quintero ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament of his left knee during River's 3-0 home victory over Independiente in the Superliga Argentina on March 17.
The injury came barely a month after the former Porto midfielder signed an improved four-year contract that reportedly includes a 30 million-euro buyout clause.
River Plate, who reached the latter stages of the Copa Argentina, are vying for back-to-back Copa Libertadores titles.
The Buenos Aires outfit won the first leg of their Copa Libertadores semifinal against local rivals Boca Juniors 2-0 at home, with the second leg to be played at La Bombonera on October 22.