Former Liverpool midfielder Mohamed Sissoko

Mali midfielder Mohamed Sissoko should return from injury for Italian side Juventus in time for their European Champions League preliminary matches.

The 23-year-old injured his right thigh on 1 June playing for the Eagles against Congo, but feels the close-season has helped his recovery.

"I should start playing again soon, though the doctors have told me I have to take it one step at a time.

"If it's possible, I'll try and speed up my recovery," he said.

Sissoko will stay in Italy for the start of Juventus' Champions League campaign, rather than return to his home country for an international friendly on 20 August.

However, he is keen to be present for the 2010 World Cup qualifier against Congo on 7 September.

"(The next match) is only a friendly, I'm not obliged to go and there's the Champions League preliminaries. I'll go in September for the World Cup qualifiers though," he said.

Sissoko is also looking forward to linking up alongside the Turin club's new midfield signing, Christian Poulsen, who completed his US$15m transfer from Sevilla over the weekend.

"We have different characteristics. I think with some work we can integrate well, it's not a case of doubling up," he commented.