Al Hilal confirm three- and four-week lay-offs for Ali Lajami and Theo Hernandez

Al Hilal will be without Ali Lajami and Theo Hernandez for their Saudi Pro League meeting with Al Shabab after confirming the extent of the injuries sustained by both players.

The Saudi club said Lajami requires a three-week treatment and rehabilitation programme after suffering a hamstring injury.

The midfielder was hurt during Al Hilal’s most recent match, against Al Ahli in the fourth round of the Saudi Pro League. His recovery period means he will miss Friday’s fixture with Al Shabab and is expected to remain unavailable for the following three weeks while he completes his rehabilitation.

Al Hilal also confirmed that Hernandez has sustained an adductor injury. The France international left-back will need four weeks of treatment and rehabilitation, ruling him out of the game against Al Shabab and keeping him sidelined for a longer period than his team-mate.

Both players were injured in the same match against Al Ahli, and Al Hilal have now confirmed that neither will be involved in the fifth-round fixture.

Al Hilal travel to face Al Shabab at 21:00 local time on Friday. The club go into the match at the top of the Saudi Pro League with 12 points from four games, having taken maximum points so far. They are level on points with defending champions Al Nassr, who also have 12.

Al Shabab are 13th in the table with three points. Their record consists of three draws and one defeat, leaving them nine points behind the league leaders before the meeting.

The injuries to Lajami and Hernandez leave Al Hilal without two players who featured in the victory over Al Ahli. However, the club have recently strengthened their attacking options with the signing of Gabriel Martinelli from English club Arsenal.

Martinelli is therefore one of the players available for selection for Friday’s match against Al Shabab. His arrival gives Al Hilal another option as they attempt to maintain their perfect start to the Saudi Pro League season.

The club’s announcement provides the first formal detail of the expected absence of both injured players. Lajami is set to miss three weeks, while Hernandez faces a four-week rehabilitation programme, with their respective return dates dependent on the progress of their recovery.