Richard Ríos ‘could return’ sooner for Benfica after shoulder injury | OneFootball

Richard Ríos could return earlier than first anticipated, offering Benfica a timely lift in midfield.

A Bola reports that the Colombia international rejoined squad training last week. He had been sidelined since 14 January after a shoulder injury against Porto in the Taça de Portugal quarter-finals.

From the outset he had aimed to be ready to face Real Madrid. José Mourinho had indicated he would only return for the second leg, but there is now a chance he could feature on Tuesday, 17 February.

Any swift comeback would help as Benfica assess a fresh issue in midfield following Fredrik Aursnes’s injury. Benfica are doing everything to have the Norwegian available for the Special One.

This season Ríos, valued at 22 million euros, has made 32 appearances for Benfica, 16 in the Liga Portugal Betclic, 10 in the Champions League, three in the Taça de Portugal, two in the Taça da Liga and one in the Supertaça. Across 2,622 minutes he has scored three goals and provided two assists.

Source: Glorioso 1904