Struggling Portuguese side Sporting have confirmed that prolific striker Mario Jardel will be given another chance by the club, after he returned to Lisbon following his ‘recuperation spell’ in Brazil.

“We will make every effort, on all levels, to ensure the player recovers as quickly as his condition allows so that he can return to action as rapidly as possible,” a Sporting statement read.

It had been alleged in some quarters that Sporting had terminated Jardel’s contract after he flew to Brazil to try and come to terms with the break-up of his marriage. The player admmitted he was suffering from depression brought on by the break and allo by his excllusion from the Brazilian World Cup squad.

Europe’s Golden Shoe winner from last season could be back in action by the middle of next month depending on how quickly he is able to regain his fitness.

Sporting have struggled in the absencce of last season’s Golden Shoe winner, currently lying in seventh place in the Portuguese Super Liga.