Predrag Rajkovic will remain unavailable for Al-Ittihad's next two fixtures as the Serbian goalkeeper recovers from an abdominal muscle tear. The injury has already forced him to miss consecutive matches, leaving the Saudi Pro League club searching for depth between the posts during a critical period of the season.
Extended Absence in Crucial Competitions
Rajkovic's absence extends through Al-Ittihad's upcoming Roshn Pro League clash against Al-Faisaly in round seven and their opening AFC Champions League Elite fixture against Qatar's Al-Shamal in the West group stage. The timing proves problematic, as Al-Ittihad navigates both domestic and continental commitments simultaneously. The club previously confirmed the goalkeeper sat out their 2-1 victory over Al-Fayha following an earlier 2-1 win against Al-Nassr, with his replacement handling the responsibilities competently despite the circumstances.
According to reports from Saudi sports media, the 31-year-old will not return to full team training until after the Gulf Cup tournament concludes. The regional competition, running from 23 September through 6 October, coincides with Saudi Arabia's international commitments. This extended timeline suggests Al-Ittihad's medical staff has prioritised a cautious rehabilitation approach rather than risk complications from the muscle wall injury.
Squad Depth Under Strain
The goalkeeper's unavailability compounds existing injury concerns. Alongside Rajkovic, midfielder Ahmed Al-Julaidan and defender Moukhtar Ali have also been sidelined with separate injuries, stretching Al-Ittihad's squad rotation options. For a club competing in both the Saudi Pro League and continental competition, maintaining consistency without key personnel presents a significant tactical challenge. The club will need their backup goalkeeper to deliver reliable performances across both competitions until Rajkovic returns to full fitness following the October international break.
