Lazio Set to Change Market Plans as Stalwart Suffers New Injury | OneFootball

Lazio will have to tweak their transfer plans due to the latest injury suffered by Patric in training. The Spaniard has been struggling with an ankle injury since January, which eventually forced him to go under the knife.

The Background

After a long rehabilitation process, the 32-year-old returned to group training earlier this week alongside club captain Mattia Zaccagni. However, this proved to be a short-lived comeback, as Il Messaggero (via La Lazio Siamo Noi) reveals that the defender picked up a thigh problem during Friday’s session.

Patric Injured Again

Patric is thus set to skip Saturday’s friend against Avellino, which will take place at the Benito Stirpe Stadium in Frosinone. It remains to be seen how long the Barcelona academy product will remain out of action, as the club’s transfer market plans could hinge on it.

Maurizio Sarri’s Pecking Order at the Back

Curiously, Il Messaggero had reported earlier this week that Patric’s physical condition will be an elemental factor in shaping up the defensive department ahead of the upcoming campaign. It is well known that Maurizio Sarri is looking to confirm Mario Gila and Alessio Romagnoli as the two starters at the back, while Oliver Provestgaard could be the first back-up option.

(Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)

Nevertheless, the returning manager is also a fan of Patric who has been a loyal servant to the cause. Therefore, the newspaper identified Samuel Gigot as the odd man out, unless Patric fails to overcome his physical problems. In the latter case, the Frenchman would be kept at Formello.

Lazio Forced to Keep Samuel Gigot

Therefore, with the Spanish defender hurting himself immediately following his return to group training, Lazio will likely be reluctant to send Gigot away and leave themselves exposed at the back, especially since they won’t be able to sign a replacement due to the transfer ban.