Al-Ittihad recall Saad Al-Mousa for Al-Hilal clasico after 11-month injury absence

Al-Ittihad defender Saad Al-Mousa is set to return to the squad for Saturday’s Roshn Saudi League clasico against traditional rivals Al-Hilal, almost a year after suffering an ankle fracture.

Al-Ittihad travel to face Al-Hilal at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh in the eighth round of the competition. Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiyah reported that Al-Mousa will be included in the squad after missing 11 months because of the injury.

The Saudi defender sustained the fracture during training in November last year, shortly before Al-Ittihad’s meeting with Al-Ahli in the eighth round of the Roshn Saudi League. He has not played for Al-Ittihad since then.

Al-Mousa underwent surgery in London before beginning a lengthy rehabilitation programme. He later returned to full team training as he continued his recovery from the injury.

Al-Ittihad manager Jens Vising has managed the defender’s return carefully, giving him the opportunity to regain match fitness with the under-21 side in the Jawi Elite League.

Despite his return to the squad, Al-Mousa is not expected to start against Al-Hilal following such a lengthy spell on the sidelines. His availability could nevertheless provide a significant boost to Al-Ittihad in the coming period.

Before his injury, Al-Mousa was a regular starter for the club during the season before last, when he formed part of the defence alongside Portugal international Danilo Pereira.