Zaidu doubtful for Sporting clash, Farioli tests left-back options | OneFootball

Zaidu is a doubt for the derby against Sporting after suffering a sprain to his right ankle.

The FC Porto left-back missed the team’s return to training at Olival and is listed on the medical report, at a time when Francesco Farioli is preparing for one of the most important matches of the final stretch of the season.

The injury comes shortly after Zaidu started the match against Tondela at the Estádio do Dragão in the Liga Portugal. The defender was in the starting lineup for that game, which came before preparations for the clash with Sporting.

In addition to Zaidu’s situation, Porto’s medical report also includes other concerns in the squad. Nehuén Pérez has already returned to partially integrated training and is closing in on a comeback, while Martim Fernandes remains on a modified training programme and still hopes to recover in time for the derby.

Zaidu’s possible absence could force Farioli to make changes on the left side of the defence at a decisive stage of the season for the Dragons. For now, the Nigerian international remains under assessment, with his availability against Sporting depending on his progress over the coming days.

FC Porto are therefore continuing to manage the fitness of several players with caution ahead of the meeting with their Lisbon rivals.

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