Kieran Tierney returned to the Real Sociedad squad on Friday, making his comeback from injury sooner than originally feared.

Real Sociedad's Kieran Tierney sits on the pitch next to Mikel Oyarzabal during the Spanish league football match between Real Sociedad and Real Betis at the Anoeta stadium in San Sebastian on December 17, 2023. (Photo by ANDER GILLENEA/AFP via Getty Images)
Real Sociedad’s Kieran Tierney sits on the pitch next to Mikel Oyarzabal during the Spanish league football match between Real Sociedad and Real Betis at the Anoeta stadium in San Sebastian on December 17, 2023. (Photo by ANDER GILLENEA/AFP via Getty Images)

Arsenal loanee Kieran Tierney picked up a muscle injury last month, coming off against Celta de Vigo on January 20th.

Real Sociedad confirmed an injury to the left-back’s left thigh, and though they didn’t give a timeline for his absence, reports suggested the defender would be out for at least a month, possibly two.

There was no expectation that Tierney would be back before the end of February, which made his inclusion in Friday’s squad to face Villarreal a welcome surprise.

Real Sociedad's Scottish defender #17 Kieran Tierney fights for the ball with Athletic Bilbao's Spanish midfielder #21 Ander Herrera during the Spanish Liga football match between Real Sociedad and Athletic Club Bilbao at the Anoeta stadium in San Sebastian on September 30, 2023. (Photo by CESAR MANSO/AFP via Getty Images)
Real Sociedad’s Kieran Tierney fights for the ball with Athletic Bilbao’s Ander Herrera during the Spanish Liga football match between Real Sociedad and Athletic Club Bilbao at the Anoeta stadium in San Sebastian on September 30, 2023. (Photo by CESAR MANSO/AFP via Getty Images)

Tierney was named on the bench for the league clash on Friday night, though he didn’t come on in what turned out to be a 3-1 defeat.

The good news for Real Sociedad is they should now have Tierney available for a couple of big upcoming fixtures.

On Tuesday, Real Sociedad host Mallorca in the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final, having drawn the first leg 0-0 away from home.

Then, on March 5th, Tierney’s loan side host Paris Saint-Germain, hoping to overturn a 2-0 deficit from the first leg of their last-16 Champions League tie.

PAMPLONA, SPAIN: Kieran Tierney of Real Sociedad battles for possession with Jesus Areso of CA Osasuna during the LaLiga EA Sports match between CA Osasuna and Real Sociedad at Estadio El Sadar on December 02, 2023. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
PAMPLONA, SPAIN: Kieran Tierney of Real Sociedad battles for possession with Jesus Areso of CA Osasuna during the LaLiga EA Sports match between CA Osasuna and Real Sociedad at Estadio El Sadar on December 02, 2023. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Whether Tierney is ready to make a significant impact in those matches remains to be seen, but he’s the kind of player you know is going to be pushing to get straight back out there.