Kouassi making steady progress, but “still a little bit away” from a return

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Xavier Kouassi has become a familiar presence at New England Revolution training sessions in recent weeks, but the 26-year-old midfielder remains “a little bit away” from a return as he continues to recover from right knee surgery.

Kouassi, who underwent surgery in mid-February, is primarily limited to individual work with the Revolution’s athletic trainers and rehab specialists from Spaulding. He’s progressed from jogging to running, but there still remain significant steps to be made before a return.

“It was a tough injury. Kouassi’s still a little bit away,” said head coach Jay Heaps. “We’re progressing him. He’s still non-contact. He’s starting to run now and be a part…