Santos enter break without Gabriel Bontempo as Coutinho targets quick adaptation | OneFootball

Santos are using a gap in the Brasileirão schedule to sharpen their run-in, with Philippe Coutinho, yet to make his debut, the main focus as Gabriel Bontempo links up with Brazil.

According to Globo.com, Coutinho is aiming to be fit to feature on two October in the rescheduled 21st-round match at Morumbis against São Paulo, with the plan to give him at least a few minutes.

Santos have only 11 matches left this season, when his contract ends. After seven months without playing, the midfielder still needs to accelerate his physical work to make some appearances.

Everton Cebolinha returns from suspension served in the 2-1 win over Remo for cards accrued at Flamengo, and can face the São Paulo rivals. He will not play against Flamengo on eight October because an agreement stipulates he will not face his former club this season.

Cuca will be without Bontempo and the suspended Luan Peres for São Paulo. Captain Neymar also misses out, as by the match date he will barely have completed four weeks of recovery, the minimum for his right thigh injury.

Neymar will not be available for Flamengo on eight October either. The expectation is for a return to on-pitch work in late October and availability again in early November.

Source: Globo.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”