Steven Bergwijn injury doubt for Al-Ittihad’s Saudi Pro League meeting with Al-Faisaly

Uncertainty surrounds Steven Bergwijn’s availability for Al-Ittihad’s Saudi Pro League fixture against Al-Faisaly on Friday, with the Netherlands international due to undergo medical tests on a muscle problem.

Al-Ittihad will face Al-Faisaly in the seventh round of the Saudi Pro League, but Bergwijn’s participation is now in doubt after he experienced the injury during Tuesday’s match against Al-Fayha.

According to Saudi newspaper Al Riyadiyah, the tests will determine the extent of the muscle issue and whether the Dutch forward is fit enough to play in the team’s next two matches.

The results will first establish whether Bergwijn can feature against Al-Faisaly on Friday. They will also help decide his availability for Al-Shamal of Qatar in the AFC Champions League Elite. Depending on the outcome, the player could either be cleared to continue or placed on a rehabilitation programme.

Bergwijn joined Al-Ittihad’s injury concerns after feeling discomfort during the victory over Al-Fayha. However, the report said the problem is not expected to prevent Algeria international Houssem Aouar from playing against Al-Faisaly.

Aouar felt a minor muscle strain towards the end of the match with Al-Fayha, but he remains available for the Friday fixture. His condition is therefore not considered to have created the same level of uncertainty as Bergwijn’s injury.

Al-Ittihad’s squad did not train on Wednesday after German coach Wensing gave the players a day off following their latest match. The team is scheduled to return on Thursday for a recovery and preparatory session before travelling to Riyadh in the evening.

The break will give the club an opportunity to assess Bergwijn before the squad begins its final preparations for Al-Faisaly. His medical examination is expected to play a decisive role in determining whether he travels and takes part in the match.

Al-Ittihad enter the fixture in third place in the league table with 14 points. They moved to that total after beating Al-Fayha 2-1 in their most recent league game.

The victory over Al-Fayha provided Al-Ittihad with momentum ahead of the meeting with Al-Faisaly, but Bergwijn’s fitness has introduced a key question for the coaching staff. A decision on the Netherlands international will be made once the medical assessment has been completed.

The club will then have to consider his condition in relation not only to Friday’s domestic fixture but also to the upcoming AFC Champions League Elite match against Al-Shamal. For now, Bergwijn’s involvement in both games remains dependent on the results of the medical tests.