Salem Al-Dawsari returns to Al Hilal training ahead of Al Ittihad clash

Salem Al-Dawsari has returned to Al Hilal’s group training after an absence of three months, raising the possibility that the club captain could feature in the Saudi Pro League meeting with traditional rivals Al Ittihad.

Al Hilal will host Al Ittihad on 10 October at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, with the fixture the headline match of matchweek eight in the Roshn Saudi League.

The Riyadh club confirmed Al-Dawsari’s return nine days before the match by publishing a photograph of the winger and captain as he took part in team training again.

Al-Dawsari has not played for Al Hilal since the start of the season after undergoing surgery. The procedure followed an injury he sustained while representing Saudi Arabia at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

His return is expected to strengthen Al Hilal, but the 33-year-old now faces increased competition for a place in the starting line-up. The club have signed two players who operate in his position: Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville and Brazilian forward Gabriel Martinelli.

Al-Dawsari was Al Hilal’s first-choice left winger last season. However, he did not produce his best form after Italian manager Simone Inzaghi took charge of the team.

The upcoming fixture could therefore provide an immediate test of his role within the squad, although his return to collective training does not confirm that he will be selected against Al Ittihad.

Al Hilal go into the match seeking another victory to maintain their position at the top of the table. They lead the Roshn Saudi League with 18 points, while Al Ittihad are second on 17 points, one point behind the leaders.