Martim Fernandes out for Porto-Tondela, could return v Sporting | OneFootball

Martim Fernandes remains unavailable to Francesco Farioli for Sunday’s home game against Tondela, scheduled for 8:30pm. The full-back is recovering from a sprain to his right ankle, suffered in the first match against Nottingham Forest, and has still not been cleared to train. Yesterday, he only underwent treatment and gym work and is now targeting a return to the pitch for the clássico against Sporting in the Portuguese Cup. It is not certain that he will be at one hundred percent on Wednesday, but that is the expectation, which is why Martim was present at Olival on the two days his teammates travelled to England.

Alberto Costa’s substitution at half-time in the Europa League match, besides tactical reasons, was mainly related to managing the former Juventus player’s physical workload, after he had completed the full 90 minutes against Estoril. The same applies to Zaidu, who has occupied the left side of the defence in recent weeks. Therefore, both are expected to start tomorrow night in a match that could have a major impact on the title race, especially as it will be played after the result of the Lisbon derby is already known.

Meanwhile, Samu, who scored one of FC Porto’s two goals in the win in Tondela in the first half of the league campaign, Luuk de Jong and Nehuén Pérez are certain absentees for tomorrow, in a match that will mark Oskar Peituszewski’s return to the starting eleven. The young Pole, it should be remembered, could not play in European competitions because he had not been registered.

The final training session before the round 30 match is scheduled for this afternoon. Earlier, at 1:30pm, Francesco Farioli will preview the game in a press conference.

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