Shocking absence duration awaits Richard Ríos with Ittihad

Al Ittihad have suffered another blow after their Colombian player Richard Ríos sustained a serious injury during the match against Abha, which took place in the 12th round of the Saudi Pro League.

The club has announced, in an official statement, the results of the medical examinations undergone by the player, clarifying that the MRI scans revealed a severe sprain in his left ankle.

Tests confirmed damage to the fibular ligament, raising concerns within the club about the duration the player will be sidelined from matches.

Thamer Al-Shahrani, a sports injury specialist, revealed on his official account on the 'X' platform that the duration of Richard Ríos' absence is related to the severity of the injury he sustained.

Al-Shahrani explained that a grade one injury may require the player to be sidelined for a period ranging from two to three weeks.

The sports injury specialist added that classifying the injury as grade two could extend the absence period to between 6 and 8 weeks.

These developments present the Al-Ittihad coaching staff with a tough challenge, especially with the possibility of losing one of their professionals for an extended period, particularly if medical assessments confirm the severity of the injury.

Club officials are awaiting a final assessment of Richard Ríos' injury to determine the appropriate treatment plan and the date for his return to team training and participation in upcoming matches.