Al Nassr injury blow as Rakan Al-Ghamdi and Salem Al-Najdi face extended absences

Al Nassr will be without Rakan Al-Ghamdi and Salem Al-Najdi for several weeks after both players sustained injuries, according to Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiyah.

Medical tests on Al-Ghamdi showed a sprained knee ligament and a cartilage bruise. The 21-year-old is expected to miss between four and six weeks.

Al-Ghamdi was injured in training last Friday, during the final session before Al Nassr’s under-21 side faced Damac.

He had made his first appearance for the senior team earlier in the week, when Australian manager Ange Postecoglou brought him on in the second half against United Arab Emirates club Al Ain in the opening round of the AFC Champions League Elite. Al Nassr lost that match 4-0 on Tuesday.

Al-Najdi underwent successful nose surgery on Sunday after suffering an injury during Al Nassr’s match against Abha on 9 September in the sixth round of the Saudi league.

The left-back was found to have two fractures in his nose, requiring an operation. He is expected to need about a month before returning to group training.

Al-Najdi will follow a rehabilitation and fitness programme during that period before gradually rejoining his team-mates in training. His return to competitive action will depend on his progress and recovery of full fitness.

The defender has played seven matches for the league champions this season, totalling 506 minutes. He has provided one assist.

Al Nassr’s first match after the international break will be against Al-Diriyah on 9 October at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh. The fixture will be their eighth-round match.

Al Nassr are third in the Roshn Saudi League standings with 16 points, two behind leaders Al-Hilal.