Gulf Cup 27 leaves Ange Postecoglou with Al Nassr defensive dilemma before Riyadh derby

Al Nassr are facing a defensive selection problem ahead of Friday’s Riyadh derby against Al-Diriyah in the Roshn Saudi League.

The two sides meet at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh in the eighth round, but coach Ange Postecoglou may be without two of his preferred defenders in the starting line-up.

According to Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiya, Abdulelah Al-Amri and French defender Mohamed Simakan are not yet fully ready to play.

Al-Amri is suffering from fatigue after representing Saudi Arabia at the Gulf Cup 27, which concluded on Tuesday with the national team winning the title. Saudi Arabia beat the United Arab Emirates 2-0 in the final.

Simakan, meanwhile, returned to part of Al Nassr’s team training on Wednesday after recovering from a muscle strain. However, he has yet to regain full fitness ahead of the match against Al-Diriyah.

Both players are due to undergo medical tests on Thursday to determine whether they are fit enough to start Friday’s game.

If neither defender is cleared to play from the beginning, Postecoglou is expected to pair Nader Al-Sharari with Spain international Inigo Martinez in central defence. The Australian could also name one of the club’s younger players among the substitutes.

Al Nassr go into the match third in the Saudi league table with 16 points from five wins, one draw and one defeat.

They are two points behind leaders Al Hilal and one point adrift of second-placed Al-Ittihad.