New reports reveal when Saad Al-Nasser, Al-Nassr's left-back, will return to his team's matches after his latest injury.
Return Date
Saudi outlet Al-Riyadia reports that Saad Al-Nasser will be ready for official competition with Al-Nassr once the international break ends in November.
His first appearance back is penciled in for November 23 against Al-Khaleej at Al-Awwal Park, in the ninth round of the Saudi Pro League.
That means Al-Nassr will also be without him for the upcoming clash with Goa, India in the Asian Champions League 2, scheduled for Wednesday at Al-Awwal Park in the group stage, round four.
He will also miss the Saudi league clash with Neom next Saturday at King Khalid Sports City in round eight.
According to the newspaper, Saad Al-Nasser is continuing rehabilitation to recover from a ligament tear in the right ankle.
He is set to resume full training with Al-Nassr during the international window so he can return to match action after the break.
As a result, the young left-back will not join the Saudi national team camp in Jeddah from November 9-18 as the squad prepare for friendlies vs Ivory Coast and Algeria ahead of the 2025 Arab Cup.
Injury Details
Saad Al-Nasser suffered the injury in the 20th minute of September's match against Istiklol Dushanbe in the AFC Champions League 2 group stage.
The club announced on X that the left-back sustained a ligament tear in the right ankle and underwent physiotherapy and rehabilitation at the club clinic to ready himself for games again.
He also experienced a new issue during a friendly with Diriyah in October after returning from the initial injury, forcing the coach Jorge Jesus to substitute him for Awad Aman.
Nassr Medical Ward
Meanwhile, Nassr's medical team notes that defender Abdul Malik Al-Gaber, signed from Zeljeznikar, in a deal exceeding 1.5 million euros, is dealing with a knee cartilage issue that has sidelined him since pre-season; he is expected to be out for three months.
The club also confirmed that midfielder Abdul Malik Al-Jaber picked up a strong knee problem during the pre-season training camp in Austria, requiring surgery and a three-month lay-off, with rehabilitation ongoing.
Fans are eager for Saad to complete his rehabilitation and return to the midfield to bolster the squad for the new season.
Younger forward Saad Haqwi also sustained an injury with the Saudi youth team at the U20 World Cup in Chile, missing the rest of the tournament after featuring in the loss to Colombia. He is expected to miss fixtures vs Al-Fateh and Al-Hazem in the late November rounds of the Saudi Pro League and the AFC Asian Champions League 2 group stage, and the King Cup Round of 16 vs Al-Ittihad.
Additionally, French defender Mohamed Simakan from Nassr also sustained an injury in the King Cup clash with Al-Ittihad last Tuesday; the medical team recommended rest and a four-day healing program, with a medical test to follow after the period to assess readiness for a return.
Simakan will miss the next two Nassr fixtures, including the league match vs Al-Fayha and the AFC ACL 2 group stage game vs Goa India, as he recovers.
Head coach Jorge Jesus hopes Simakan will be fully fit when Al-Nassr visits Neom next Saturday in the Saudi Pro League’s eighth round.
Additionally, the statement noted that the squad is managing a high number of injuries, with the medical staff optimistic about a phased return for several players during the ongoing break.
In short, Saad Al-Nasser’s comeback is on track, but the team will tread carefully to avoid rushing him back before his ankle is fully ready.
Punchline: If injuries were a transfer window, Saad’s loan to rehab would be perpetual—free long-term clinic access, with a redemption option only after the doctor’s signature. Punchline 2: He plans a dramatic return, but the only thing getting a standing ovation might soon be his crutch—and even that will be in contract negotiations."
