Vitor Roque and Paulinho travel with Palmeiras but will not face Bahia | OneFootball

Vitor Roque and Paulinho travelled with Palmeiras to Salvador but will not be in the squad to face Bahia on Sunday at 19:30 at Arena Fonte Nova.

According to Globo.com, the club aim to reintroduce the pair to the team’s travel routine while they follow individual programmes with Palmeiras’ Health and Performance department.

Vitor Roque, known as Tigrinho, is still recovering from ankle pain from the Paulista semi-final against São Paulo. He played the finals despite discomfort, which slowed his recovery. Since then he has not started and has taken further knocks off the bench.

Paulinho has been sidelined since August last year after surgery on his right leg. His recovery has been cautious and he is now in physical transition. On Saturday he joined a training game with the other starters at the Academia de Futebol before flying to Salvador.

Roque is also a doubt for the Libertadores opener against Junior Barranquilla on Wednesday, with the likeliest scenario for now being a return against Corinthians at Neo Química Arena next weekend. Paulinho does not yet have a return date.

Piquerez and Jefté did not make the trip, both are in the treatment room with ankle and thigh injuries respectively.

The probable Palmeiras XI to face Bahia: Carlos Miguel, Giay (Khellven), Gustavo Gómez, Murilo, Arthur, Marlon Freitas, Andreas Pereira, Maurício, Allan, Jhon Arias, Flaco López.

After the match Palmeiras will stay in Salvador to train on Monday, then fly to Cartagena for Junior Barranquilla on Wednesday, kick-off 21:30.

Source: Globo.com