Leonardo Jardim boosted by Brazil duo, Arrascaeta sidelined, Plata could return | OneFootball

According to Coluna Do Fla, Flamengo visit Santos on Thursday with attacking reinforcements but significant absences, as Leonardo Jardim should be able to call on Pedro and Samuel Lino while Arrascaeta is out and others may miss out.

The 29th-round fixture at Vila Belmiro kicks off at 19:30, Brasília time, and follows the international break. The league leaders have been inactive for 18 days, their last outing a 2-1 win over Red Bull Bragantino at the Maracanã on 20 September.

Pedro and Samuel Lino rejoin the squad on Monday after Brazil duty. Both arrive in form after the 4-0 win against India in Kolkata on Saturday, when Pedro scored and assisted and Lino netted twice, his first goals for the Seleção.

Gonzalo Plata could also feature. The Ecuadorian felt discomfort in his right thigh against Red Bull Bragantino and was withdrawn from his national team, but scans showed no injury and he returned to training last Wednesday.

Director of football José Boto expects Pedro and Lino to arrive in time, albeit not at peak condition, and he has all but ruled out Varela and Anthony Valencia due to long-haul travel from assignments in India and Japan.

Arrascaeta is the major absence after fracturing his left wrist on 28 September in Uruguay’s 4-1 win over South Korea in Seoul, followed by surgery in Rio de Janeiro. He is likely to miss both legs of the Libertadores semi-final.

In the treatment room, Evertton Araújo remains sidelined with a grade 3 adductor injury to his left thigh, while Ayrton Lucas continues recovery from a right hamstring issue. Flamengo top the table with 60 points from 28 matches.

Source: Coluna Do Fla

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