Santos finish Ecuador prep as Cuca weighs changes over player fatigue | OneFootball

Santos completed their final training session in Cuenca on Tuesday ahead of their Copa Sudamericana debut, with Cuca leading the workout and yet to confirm his starting XI.

According to Diario Do Peixe, the squad flew directly from Rio de Janeiro to Ecuador and some of the more fatigued players are likely to be rested for Wednesday’s match against Deportivo Cuenca at the Alejandro Serrano Aguilar Stadium, scheduled for 19:00 Brasília time.

Neymar and Gabriel Barbosa will not feature. Neymar stayed in Brazil to manage his workload, while Barbosa is treating tendinitis in his right adductor and is expected to return only at the weekend in the Campeonato Brasileiro.

Other confirmed absences are Miguelito, with posterior thigh discomfort, Vinícius Lira, recovering from a left knee injury, Mayke, rested after corticosteroid use, and Gabriel Menino with a right thigh issue.

Cuca could be boosted by the availability of Igor Vinícius, who was rested against Flamengo due to oedema, and Rony, after serving a suspension in the last league round.

Santos are in Group D alongside Deportivo Cuenca, San Lorenzo of Argentina, and Recoleta of Paraguay.

Source: Diario Do Peixe