Maccabi Haifa Optimistic About Manuel Benson's Return Ahead of League Start

Maccabi Haifa is hopeful about the gradual return of their top-earning player, Manuel Benson, to training after recovering from Achilles tendon inflammation. Benson received an extended rest and treatment during the break, and the coaching staff values him highly as a key offensive leader, which influenced their decision not to recruit a replacement in his position. The club aims to improve on their recent Toto Cup losses to Hapoel Haifa and Ironi Kiryat Shmona, focusing primarily on the league opener against Hapoel Ramat Gan in three weeks.

Meanwhile, Serbian-American striker Andrea Novakovic, who missed the match against Kiryat Shmona, is slowly regaining fitness and may see playing time in the upcoming game against Ironi Tiberias. Additionally, Maccabi Haifa is seeking a new destination for Peter Agaba. Currently, no clubs are willing to pay the transfer fee Haifa paid last season, so the club is leaning toward loaning him out to free up a foreign player slot.

The next few weeks will be critical for the club's decisions regarding player fitness and squad adjustments as they prepare for the new Israeli Premier League season.