Al-Hilal receive double boost ahead of Al-Ittihad Saudi Pro League derby

Al-Hilal have welcomed back Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Theo Hernandez to part of first-team training, strengthening their squad ahead of Saturday’s Saudi Pro League meeting with rivals Al-Ittihad.

The two clubs will meet at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh on 10 October, with the match forming part of the eighth round of the competition. The fixture is one of the most anticipated games of the season and could have a significant effect on the early title race.

Al-Hilal confirmed the return of the two foreign players in a post on their official X account on Tuesday, 6 October. The club said both players took part in the opening section of the team’s group session before continuing with their respective rehabilitation programmes.

Their return is expected to give the league leaders an important boost before the derby. Al-Hilal begin the matchday at the top of the table with 18 points, one point ahead of Al-Ittihad, who are second on 17.

Hernandez has been absent for more than a month after suffering an injury during Al-Hilal’s 3-0 victory over Al-Ahli in the first derby of the season. That match was played in the third round of the Saudi Pro League at the beginning of September.

The France international’s injury forced him to miss the club’s subsequent matches, but he has now resumed work with the squad as Al-Hilal prepare for another high-profile fixture.

Milinkovic-Savic was injured while representing Serbia against the Netherlands in the UEFA Nations League. Following that setback, the midfielder returned to Al-Hilal and began a specific rehabilitation programme at the club.

Both players have now rejoined collective training, with their progress coming only days before Al-Hilal face Al-Ittihad. The leaders will be aiming to extend their advantage at the summit with another victory, while Al-Ittihad will look to move above their rivals by winning the derby.

The meeting at Kingdom Arena will be the latest instalment in the rivalry between the two Saudi clubs and comes with Al-Hilal seeking to maintain their perfect position at the top of the standings.