Santos train in Rio as Igor Vinícius and Rony rejoin squad for Sudamericana opener | OneFootball

Santos stepped up preparations for their Copa Sudamericana bow with a reduced-pitch session in Rio on Monday morning. According to Diario Do Peixe, the starters from the Flamengo game stayed at the hotel for recovery work.

Igor Vinícius and Rony joined the group on Sunday night in Rio and trained normally at the Army Physical Education School ground. The pair should bolster the side for the international assignment.

The right-back had been rested after a slight oedema in his right quadriceps, while the forward served a suspension for his third yellow card in the Brasileirão.

The squad fly on Monday afternoon to Cuenca, Ecuador, to face Deportivo Cuenca on Wednesday at 19:00 at the Estadio Alejandro Serrano Aguilar. A final session is planned for Tuesday on Ecuadorian soil, when head coach Cuca is expected to settle on his line-up.

For the opener, Cuca will be without key names. Gabriel Barbosa continues treatment for tendinitis in his right adductor and will undergo a final PRP session before resuming training at CT Rei Pelé. Neymar will also stay in Santos on a tailored physical programme.

Also out are Vinícius Lira with a left knee problem, Mayke who is being managed after corticosteroid use, Gabriel Menino with a right thigh muscle issue, and Miguelito who is recovering from physical fatigue.

Source: Diario Do Peixe