Al-Ittihad recall Youssef En-Nesyri for Al-Faisaly clash as Jorginho Wijnaldum waits

Youssef En-Nesyri has returned to Al-Ittihad’s starting line-up for their Roshn Saudi League match away to Al-Faisaly on Friday.

The Morocco striker will lead the attack alongside Nigeria international George Ilenikhena at Al Majma’ah Sports City Stadium, with the fixture forming part of the seventh round of the competition.

Al-Ittihad manager Jens Wissing named his starting XI before the match, bringing En-Nesyri back into the side after his absence from the team’s previous line-up.

New signing Jorginho Wijnaldum has not been handed his first start, however, with the Netherlands midfielder named among the substitutes. Wissing has instead selected Senegal’s Dion Lopy and Colombia’s Richard Rios in central midfield.

Al-Ittihad are aiming to extend their unbeaten run in the league. After six rounds, they are one of only two teams yet to lose, alongside Al-Kholood.

The club sit fourth in the table with 14 points from four wins and two draws. They are one point behind the leading trio of Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr and Al-Qadsiah, who occupy the top three positions respectively.

Al-Faisaly’s start to life in the Roshn Saudi League has been considerably more difficult. They have not won since earning promotion, drawing three matches and losing three.

Those results leave Al-Faisaly 17th and second from bottom, with three points.

Al-Ittihad’s line-up is as follows: