Former Fiji Airways Fijian 7s team captain Kalione Nasoko is unlikely to feature this year while he continues recovering from a knee injury, says head coach Gareth Baber.

On the comeback trail, Nasoko trained separately from the main squad at Albert Park in Suva yesterday.

The 28-year-old hurt his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) at the Canada 7s in March and has not featured since.

The injury also ended his hopes of signing with Pro 14 side Edinburgh after the forward failed a medical examination.

Baber says he will not rush Nasoko back into the squad, even though he hopes the forward can recover by at least April 2020.

“Kali’s (Nasoko) had a knee construction on his ACL. He’s on target for possibly mid-March or April of next year,” the coach said.

“But we are not going to put too much pressure on him either.

“One, he’s got to get his knee right, then he’s got to get his body right and he’s got to get back into rugby as well. And we are not going to rush that.

“Ultimately, I want him to take part in the some HSBC Series tournaments and possibly put his hands up for selection for the Olympics.”

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

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