Paul Pogba's first game back since 18-month drugs ban COULD be against English opposition - as Monaco boss provides update about former Man United midfielder's anticipated return

Paul Pogba could make his long-awaited return to first-team football against English opposition in the Champions League, his manager has said. 

Pogba, 32, signed for Monaco in June but is yet to play for them as they ease him back into the game following an 18-month ban for doping. 

Monaco have had him on a gradual recovery plan while Pogba himself has said: 'I don’t want to return unless I'm fully myself. People want to see the real Paul Pogba'.

Manager Adi Hutter is not entirely sure when he will be back - it could be against Angers on Saturday 18 October, or it could be in their next Champions League assignment. 

And it just so happens that that European clash, penned in for October 22, is against Tottenham Hotspur. 

He has a pretty good record against Spurs, having played them nine times for Manchester United, winning six, drawing one, and losing three. 

In a Monaco team who pushed Manchester City hard in a 2-2 draw on Wednesday, he could cause more damage against the north Londoners. 

Hutter said: 'He is doing more and more with the team. Our goal was for him to maybe in the squad for Nice, but it is a bit too early. Against Angers, I hope he can be a part of the squad.

'I think he can be ready to face Angers, but it could be the match after [against Tottenham].' he added. 

'How many sessions does he need? That depends on the conversation that we will have. We will have a conversation, and with the technical director, too.

'It is in my mind how to increase the load, maybe in a match, 15/20 minutes against Angers,' said Hutter. His impact is already felt off the pitch. 

'He is already in the dressing room, even if he doesn’t wear the shirt. He has been in the dressing room in the past matches to encourage us, giving instructions to the young players, and they like having someone in the dressing room who has won everything.'

'Won everything' is a slight stretch, but Pogba is a World Cup winner with France and a four-time Serie A winner with Juventus, not to mention a Europa League and EFL Cup victor with Manchester United.

It all came crashing down in September 2023, when he was handed a four-year suspension after returning an adverse drugs test. However, that suspension was slashed to just 18 months last October. Juventus terminated his deal at the end of November last year. 

He is signed up with Monaco for two years and still feels like he has plenty to give after going through 'hell'. 

In an exclusive interview with Daily Mail Sport last year, Pogba revealed the story of how he found out the news that he would be able to play football again in 2025.

‘Here’s a funny story: I was trying on a new suit for a film premiere but I didn’t have my phone,’ Pogba told Daily Mail Sport.

‘My wife (Zulay) comes rushing upstairs with my phone screaming, “It’s the lawyer”. I said I would call him back but she said I had to take the call.

‘So I went downstairs to speak to him with the suit on! He told me the news and I was silent. Everyone was jumping, so happy but I was in shock.

'Quickly that happiness turned into a determination. We went through hell. A time of darkness. But this is my second chance, I have to use it. I was pumped.'