Sporting CP can be without one among their first-team stars after they tackle Arsenal within the Champions League tonight.
The Gunners have a slender 1-0 lead after their quarter-final first leg victory in Lisbon last week with Kai Havertz’s late goal leaving them in a commanding position ahead of the return leg within the capital.
Mikel Arteta’s side are reeling from a dismal defeat to Bournemouth on the weekend with plenty of injury concerns to contend with.
Sporting may even be without the services of 1 key man with Ivan Fresneda not making the trip to London.
The 21-year-old was forced off at half-time on Saturday as a precautionary measure.
While he was given the possibility to prove his fitness this week, Sporing boss Rui Borges has opted to go away him back in Lisbon to avoid the chance of further aggravating the muscle issue.
‘Iván has been a very important player, he’s had an awesome season,’ Borges said.
‘Because of physical management, he’s not at 100%. We opted to go away him in Lisbon; he wasn’t in full condition to contribute, and tomorrow’s game demands everyone at 100%.’
Fresneda has made 39 appearances for Sporting this season and has began all but one among their Champions matches at right-back.
The Spain Under-21 international was a transfer goal for the Gunners three years ago. Arsenal explored a move for the then-18-year-old within the January transfer window that 12 months during his breakout season with Real Valladolid in Spain.
Arsenal even agreed a £13m fee with the La Liga side, seeing off interest from Borussia Dortmund who were also within the race for his signature.
Fresneda eventually turned down Arsenal’s offer with first-team opportunities key to his decision. He Later that 12 months, he signed for Sporting despite interest from Chelsea that summer.
Elsewhere for Sporting, Belgian defender Zeno Debast and Joao Simoes, who began the first-leg in midfield, have travelled with the squad but are doubts
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