Rio de Janeiro: Flamengo football coach Joel Santana hinted that the club in on the verge of re-signing former Inter Milan and Roma striker Adriano.

The 30-year-old Adriano had stitches removed from surgery on his problematic left Achilles tendon Monday. The operation followed his sacking from Flamengo's Brazilian rivals Corinthians in March due to alleged disciplinary problems.

Santana said Flamengo was ready to welcome back Adriano, who helped the club to the 2009 Brazilian title, Xinhua reported.

"He is a player made for this club who has already had great success here. It would be a pleasure to have him back," Santana said.

Santana's comments come less than a month after Flamengo president Patricia Amorim admitted the club would be taking a risk by re-signing the former Brazil forward.

Flamengo doctor Jose Luiz Runco said Adriano was making speedy recovery from the surgery.

"He has been having daily physiotherapy for the past three weeks and his recovery is coming along as we planned," Runco said.

The operation was Adriano's second on his troublesome Achilles tendon in 12 months. Corinthians claim the forward's recovery from the inicial procedure was compromised by 67 missed physiotherapy sessions. (IANS)