Kingsley Coman to miss Al Nassr games against Abha and Al Khaleej

Kingsley Coman and Inigo Martinez will miss Al Nassr’s next two Saudi league matches after medical examinations showed that both players need at least seven days of rest, according to Saudi newspaper Al Riyadiyah.

The France international Coman and Spain defender Martinez are expected to be unavailable for Al Nassr’s fixtures against Abha and Al Khaleej in the sixth and seventh rounds of the league.

Their potential return is set to come against Al Ain in Al Nassr’s opening match of the AFC Champions League Elite, although that will depend on how they respond to the rehabilitation programmes prepared for them by the club’s medical staff.

Coman’s scan showed that the forward has suffered a minor tear in his hamstring. Martinez, meanwhile, is dealing with a muscle strain and pain in his knee.

The injuries leave Al Nassr without two important players as they prepare to face Abha on Wednesday in the sixth round. The match will be played at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh.

Al Nassr currently occupy second place in the league with 12 points. They are three points behind leaders Al Hilal after suffering a 2-1 defeat by Al Ittihad on Saturday.

The club’s medical team will oversee the players’ recovery during the required rest period. Their availability for the match against Al Ain will be assessed according to their progress through the rehabilitation work, rather than being guaranteed at this stage.

Coman’s absence means Al Nassr will have to manage their attacking options without the France international for the meeting with Abha and the subsequent league fixture against Al Khaleej. Martinez’s injury also removes a defensive option for both games.

The two players underwent the examinations after suffering the problems described in the medical report. The results indicated that neither would be ready to take part in Al Nassr’s next two league matches, with a minimum period of seven days’ rest required.

Al Nassr’s immediate focus is therefore the home fixture against Abha, before the team turns its attention to the seventh-round match against Al Khaleej. The club will then hope Coman and Martinez can complete their recovery in time for the visit of Al Ain in the AFC Champions League Elite.

Their eventual return will be determined by their response to the rehabilitation programme and the medical assessment that follows. For now, Al Nassr must prepare for the next two domestic matches without them as they attempt to stay close to the top of the league table.