Al-Ittihad goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic to miss Al-Fayha match

Al-Ittihad goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic will miss Tuesday’s Saudi Pro League fixture against Al-Fayha because of injury, according to Asharq Al-Awsat.

Al-Fayha will visit Al-Ittihad in the sixth round of the competition, with the home side facing the prospect of being without their first-choice goalkeeper after Rajkovic suffered muscle pain in their most recent match against Al-Nassr.

The Serbia international continued playing in that game and completed the match despite the discomfort. However, the injury is now expected to keep him out of the meeting with Al-Fayha.

Mohammed Al-Absi is set to replace Rajkovic and start in goal for Al-Ittihad, the report said.

The extent of Rajkovic’s absence beyond Tuesday remains uncertain. He could also miss Friday’s match against Al-Faisaly in the Saudi Pro League, which would mean Al-Absi retaining his place for another fixture.

There is a possibility, however, that Rajkovic could return for Al-Ittihad’s opening AFC Champions League Elite match against Qatar’s Al-Shamal on Monday.

That match is scheduled to be the club’s first fixture in this season’s AFC Champions League Elite campaign, giving Rajkovic a potential target for his return if he recovers in time.

Al-Ittihad currently sit fifth in the Saudi Pro League table, having collected 11 points from their opening five matches. Their position means Tuesday’s match against Al-Fayha will be another opportunity to strengthen their early-season campaign, although they will now have to prepare for the possibility of starting without their regular goalkeeper.

Rajkovic’s injury emerged after he experienced muscle pain during the previous meeting with Al-Nassr. Although he was able to remain on the pitch until the final whistle, the issue has subsequently ruled him out of the next match, according to the report.

Al-Ittihad will therefore rely on Al-Absi for the visit of Al-Fayha, while the club monitors Rajkovic’s condition ahead of the match against Al-Faisaly and the following AFC Champions League Elite fixture against Al-Shamal.