Paulinho Bóia returns to Widzew Łódź squad after calf injury

Widzew Łódź head coach Mateusz Stolarski announced that Paulinho Bóia will be included in the matchday squad for the upcoming fixture against Pogoń Szczecin. This selection marks the Brazilian forward's return to availability after an extended absence due to injury. Stolarski confirmed the player's status ahead of the Polish Ekstraklasa encounter, signaling the end of his rehabilitation period.

Paulinho Bóia has not played for Widzew Łódź since sustaining a calf injury during his competitive debut on August 15 against Korona Kielce. The issue occurred in what was his first appearance for the club, forcing him out of action immediately after joining. His return to the squad comes nearly three months after that initial setback, providing the coaching staff with an additional attacking option.

The player joined Widzew Łódź as a free agent during the summer transfer window after leaving Nacional. Prior to his move to Poland, he made 49 appearances for the Portuguese club, recording five goals and four assists. Despite this previous experience, his start at Widzew Łódź was complicated by fitness concerns that delayed his integration into the team.

Sporting director Łukasz Masłowski stated in September that Paulinho Bóia was a significant disappointment due to poor physical preparation upon arrival. This assessment highlighted the gap between expectations and the player's condition when he joined the squad. The upcoming match against Pogoń Szczecin offers the forward an opportunity to address those early concerns through his performance on the pitch.

In addition to Paulinho Bóia, Mario García will also be available for selection against Pogoń Szczecin. His return further strengthens the squad depth for the immediate fixture. However, several other players remain sidelined with longer-term issues. Carlos Isaac, Szymon Czyż and Lukas Lerager are expected to return to training only in the new year, keeping them out of contention for current matches.

Dani Silva and Mariusz Fornalczyk are projected to become available during or after the upcoming international break. Their anticipated return timelines differ from both the immediate reinforcements and the long-term absentees. These varying recovery schedules shape the selection options available to Stolarski as the season progresses.