Attacking absences bring Niang into first-team training | OneFootball

Mame Niang, 20, has yet to show the qualities he claims to possess, as he was not used by João Brandão in the B team’s defeat to Lusitânia de Lourosa. “Scoring goals is my specialty,” said the forward when he was unveiled as a reinforcement for the reserve side.

On Tuesday, however, the young Senegalese player joined first-team training, with the squad depleted by the absence of Samu and André Silva, both under the care of the medical department. With Deniz Gul the only available attacking option ahead of Saturday’s trip to Vila do Conde, scheduled for 8:30 pm, Francesco Farioli called up Niang to work with him over the next few days.

A place in the squad for the second matchday is a real possibility, although it depends on André Silva’s recovery, as he was once again limited to treatment for the sprain in his right ankle, and on the new signing’s ability to convince the coach that he can be a valid alternative. Niang joined FC Porto from Norway’s HamKam in a deal worth €1.6 million.

After the 2-0 win over Alverca on the opening matchday of the league season, the blue-and-white squad was given a day off and returned to work yesterday with eight players still in the care of the medical department. André Silva, Alan Varela and Oskar Pietuszewski remain under treatment, while Cláudio Ramos and Alberto Costa are splitting their time between treatment and modified training. Vasco Sousa, André Miranda and Samu are also still working under restrictions.

Faced with a lack of “manpower” to complete the drills, Farioli called up five players from the reserve team. In addition to Mame Niang, those involved were goalkeeper Gonçalo Ribeiro, defender António Ribeiro, midfielder Eirik Granaas, and winger Duarte Cunha. None of them started for the B team, and only Duarte Cunha and the Norwegian signing came on during the match.

As for the injured players, Alan Varela and Alberto Costa are the closest to recovering in time for the match in Vila do Conde. André Silva’s return appears more difficult, although it has not yet been ruled out. The forward has been undergoing additional treatment in an effort to shorten his time out, without, of course, compromising his full recovery.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.