Bounou returns to training ahead of Al Hilal’s Roshn Saudi League clash with Al Taawoun

Al Hilal goalkeeper Yassine Bounou is available to face Al Taawoun on Saturday after taking part in full team training, ending uncertainty over whether he would feature in the Roshn Saudi League match.

The Saudi club confirmed the Morocco international had trained normally shortly before the two sides’ meeting. His return is a significant boost for Al Hilal as they look to respond to last week’s unexpected defeat by Neom.

The match against Al Taawoun will take place tomorrow, Saturday, in the seventh round of the Roshn Saudi League. Al Hilal are seeking an immediate reaction after suffering a 2-0 loss to Neom in their previous fixture.

Doubts over Bounou’s availability emerged after he sustained an injury during the warm-up before the Neom game. He was subsequently ruled out of the match, leaving Al Hilal to start Mohammed Al Owais in goal.

The club’s latest training update indicates that Bounou has recovered sufficiently to return to action against Al Taawoun, although the goalkeeper’s final involvement will come in the context of the team’s preparations for the fixture.

Al Owais played in the defeat by Neom, a match in which Al Hilal experienced defensive and goalkeeping problems. Those issues were particularly evident when Neom scored their second goal, with Al Owais unable to deal with the attack effectively.

Bounou’s expected return comes at an important stage for Al Hilal, who need a positive result after the setback against Neom. The club will hope its first-choice goalkeeper can resume his place between the posts and help the team finish the seventh round with a stronger performance.

Al Hilal’s announcement also brings an end to speculation that Bounou could miss a second consecutive match. His absence against Neom had forced the side to change its goalkeeper, while his return gives the team the prospect of restoring its usual defensive set-up for the contest with Al Taawoun.