Edouard Mendy has been given additional time to recover from a shoulder injury after the postponement of Al-Ahli’s Saudi Pro League derby against Al-Nassr until March 2027.
The Senegal international had been expected to miss Thursday’s meeting with Al-Nassr after being sidelined by the injury, but the Saudi Pro League’s decision to reschedule the fixture has eased the pressure on him to return quickly.
The match was officially postponed for logistical reasons, creating an opportunity for Mendy to continue his rehabilitation before Al-Ahli’s upcoming fixtures.
Al-Ahli announced on Wednesday, 7 October 2026, that the goalkeeper had sustained a shoulder injury during training ahead of their league match against Al-Fateh. He subsequently began treatment and rehabilitation, with the timing of his return remaining dependent on his recovery.
The postponement could prove beneficial for both the player and the club, as it gives Mendy more time to regain his fitness without the immediate prospect of facing one of their biggest rivals.
Mendy misses two matches through injury
The shoulder problem has already forced Mendy to miss two important fixtures for Al-Ahli.
The first was their Saudi Pro League meeting with Al-Fateh, which formed part of the eighth round of the competition. He was also unavailable for the AFC Champions League fixture against UAE side Al-Wasl in the second round.
His absence came during a busy period for Al-Ahli, who are competing in domestic and continental competitions and have had to manage their squad without one of their leading goalkeepers.
Mendy was also expected to be unavailable for the Al-Nassr derby before the postponement was announced.
The revised schedule means he has more time to work through his rehabilitation programme, reducing the possibility of the club having to consider an early return for the high-profile fixture.
However, the extra recovery period does not automatically guarantee that he will be fit for Al-Ahli’s next matches.
Al-Fayha fixture offers possible return
Attention has now shifted to Al-Ahli’s next league match against Al-Fayha, scheduled for Monday.
Mendy could return for that fixture if his recovery progresses sufficiently, although his availability will depend on his medical condition and response to treatment.
A return would provide a boost for Al-Ahli, given the Senegalese goalkeeper’s experience and importance to the team. His presence is particularly valuable as the club continues to compete across several competitions.
Nevertheless, the priority will be ensuring that the shoulder injury has recovered sufficiently before he is cleared to play. Rushing him back too soon could risk aggravating the problem and extending his absence.
Al-Ahli will therefore continue to monitor his progress before making a final decision on his involvement against Al-Fayha.
More time to prepare for the rescheduled derby
The postponement of the Al-Nassr match has changed the immediate outlook for Mendy, who had faced the prospect of missing the original fixture because of his injury.
With the derby now scheduled for March 2027, the goalkeeper has a longer period in which to recover before the two sides meet.
For Al-Ahli, the hope will be that the additional time allows Mendy to return to full fitness and avoid a prolonged spell on the sidelines during the season.
His potential availability against Al-Fayha will be the next significant indication of his recovery, although no return date has been confirmed.
The club will be keen to have its first-choice goalkeeper back as soon as he is medically ready, while avoiding unnecessary risks that could worsen the shoulder problem.
The rescheduled derby may therefore offer Mendy a welcome opportunity to complete his rehabilitation without the pressure of an immediate showdown with Al-Nassr.
