Léo Ortiz trains with Flamengo group, edging closer to selection under Jardim | OneFootball

Léo Ortiz has taken a further step towards a Flamengo return after rejoining group training at Ninho do Urubu on Thursday. According to Globo.com, the centre-back is now closer to being available to head coach Leonardo Jardim.

Ortiz has not played since 30 May, when he sustained a right thigh muscle injury against Coritiba at the Maracanã. That was Flamengo’s final match before the World Cup pause.

In recent days he had been working separately on the pitch, and linking up with the squad marks the next phase of his recovery.

Flamengo face São Paulo at 18:30 on Sunday at the Maracanã in the Brasileirão. He has been cleared by the medical department, with any inclusion in the matchday squad dependent on Jardim’s decision.

Ortiz did not feature in any of Flamengo’s four mid-season friendlies and was also absent for the Brasileirão win over Chapecoense on Wednesday. That result kept Flamengo second on 37 points, with one game in hand on leaders Palmeiras, who have 44 after their victory in the round.

Source: Globo.com