10:39, 31 Oct 2025, updated 10:39, 31 Oct 2025 By CIARAN FOREMAN, TRAINEE REPORTER

Paul Pogba is on the verge of a highly-anticipated return more than two years after being banned from football - but his new manager is keen to play down any grand expectations.

The former Manchester United and Juventus midfielder, 32, was given a four-year doping ban in September 2023 which was later slashed to just 18 months.

The Frenchman told Daily Mail Sport last year that he was going through 'hell' during the period which saw Juventus tear up his lucrative £200,000-per-week contract.

But after discovering his ban was reduced, Pogba made a dramatic return from the footballing wilderness when he penned a two-year contract with AS Monaco in June this year.

He was brought to the Stade Louis II by then-manager Adi Hutter, who was sacked earlier this month after a poor run of results before being replaced by Sebastien Pocognoli.

Pocognoli has been tasked with turning Monaco's fortunes around both domestically and in the Champions League, and has now revealed that he is close to being able to call upon...