Thomas Partey has recovered from a thigh injury and is being considered for a start when Al-Shabab host Al-Ahli on Friday in Riyadh in the twelfth round of the Roshn League.
The former Arsenal midfielder missed the past seven matches, but his return would give Al-Shabab another option for a game that is being billed as a mini-Clasico. On Thursday, Thomas Letsch was due to finalise his starting line-up after a light training session on the reserve pitch, with Partey among the players under consideration.
Al-Shabab at full strength
One notable part of the build-up is Al-Shabab's squad status. The club is set to go into the match without any absentees among its local or foreign players, which is described as a rare situation. That gives Letsch more flexibility as he prepares for a meeting with fifth-place Al-Ahli.
The table context adds to the significance of the fixture. Al-Shabab are on 11 points from three matches, while Al-Ahli have 21 points from seven wins and three defeats. Al-Ahli also still have a postponed match remaining against Al-Nassr, so the standings may shift further later on.
For Al-Shabab, Partey's possible return is the main immediate development. After missing seven matches, he could now be back in the starting discussion at a time when the team is unusually close to full strength and facing one of its biggest league tests of the season.
