Returns with start Bentancur got the start and played 58 minutes during Sunday's 3-1 win over Bournemouth. Impact Bentancur made it back sooner than expected and even got into the starting XI. Manager Ange Postecoglou spoke about the early return post-match. "Rodrigo trained during the week. He's a warrior. He wanted to play. I let him train with the team and there was nothing I saw that was going to prohibit him from contributing. We knew we wouldn't get more than 55, 60 (minutes) out of him, but it's a lift for the whole squad because he's a quality player, and he's also a quality person. The group has seen what he's gone through, and he's never let it get him down, he works hard every day. Apart from the result, that's the most pleasing thing for us today, he gets 60 minutes and hopefully we'll grow from there." The return is a major surprise, and it's certain Bentancur isn't 100%, but he will have an extended break before a Jan. 14 trip to Manchester United.
JANUARY 1 • ROTOWIRE
