Injury Update Sparks Hope: Will Rajković Lead Al-Ittihad Through a Grove of October Tests?

Return at a Decisive Moment

Predrag Rajković, Al-Ittihad’s Serbian goalkeeper, is dealing with a right-thigh problem picked up while playing for his national team. The issue has kept him out of recent duties as Al-Ittihad prepare to navigate a demanding October schedule.

The Serbian Football Association announced on X yesterday that Rajković will not join the squad traveling to Andorra for a European World Cup 2026 qualifier, with the international break looming.

They described the right-thigh pain as linked to the area where he underwent surgery four months ago, adding that the setback is currently not a cause for major alarm.

On Monday, the Saudi press outlet Al-Riyadhiya reported that the injury will not prevent him from featuring for Al-Ittihad in forthcoming fixtures, and that the issue is minor enough to be managed after the break.

In short, the prognosis is positive: a timely return after the international window could be crucial for the team and coach Sergio Conceição as October’s heavy schedule begins.

Double Clasico

Rajković’s return arrives just as Al-Ittihad brace for a series of high-stakes games, starting with a clash against Al-Fayha in the fifth round of the Saudi Pro League.

Oct 17 could prove one of the easier fixtures in a month packed with tough tests, a potential turning point for the “Al-Ahmar” in the first phase of the campaign.

Al-Ittihad will host Al-Fayha, who came off a valuable win against Al-Fateh in the previous round, so the visitors won’t be pushovers in Jeddah.

Al-Ittihad’s exit from the King Cup at the hands of Zulfi on penalties might galvanize the squad to focus fully on league play and steer clear of late-season struggles from last term.

Next up is a tough trip to Iraq to face Al-Shorta on Oct 20 in the AFC Champions League Elite group stage.

The club has already endured losses to Al-Wahda and Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai, and under Egyptian coach Momen Soliman they’re aiming for a solid continental push in pursuit of progression from West Asia.

First-choice Goalkeeper

Rajković’s readiness is a significant lift for Conceição’s plans, given he has started as the No. 1 for Al-Ittihad this season.

In five appearances this campaign, he has conceded six goals and kept one clean sheet, showing both his importance and the occasional fragility in his absence.

Backup keepers have shouldered responsibility in his absence, with five goals conceded across four matches, highlighting how vital Rajković’s presence is for the defense and the team’s confidence heading into October’s crucibles.

For the Serbia star, the path back to full sharpness after his surgery is the key to stabilizing a busy period that could define Al-Ittihad’s early-season form.

While the club welcomed his return in principle, his continued availability will depend on how smoothly recovery progresses through the international window and the subsequent league fixtures.

Rajković had been recalled by Serbia for the current international window but was an unused substitute against Albania and then left out of the squad for Andorra as the team continues its Euro 2026 qualifying campaign.

His fitness is central to Al-Ittihad’s ambitions as the season unfolds, especially with a packed October calendar and the continued grind of domestic and continental fixtures on the horizon.