Salem Al-Dawsari has been included in Al Hilal’s squad for Saturday’s Saudi Pro League Clasico against Al Ittihad after recovering from a knee injury, according to Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiyah.
Al Hilal will host their traditional rivals at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh in the headline fixture of matchweek eight of the Saudi Pro League.
However, head coach Simone Inzaghi is expected to start Al-Dawsari on the bench rather than name him in the starting line-up. The Italian could turn to the 35-year-old during the match if his services are required.
Known as “The Tornado”, Al-Dawsari has not played for Al Hilal since the start of the current season. He suffered the injury while representing Saudi Arabia at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The winger underwent surgery on his knee tendon in Finland in July. He then completed a rehabilitation programme which lasted until last Thursday, when he returned to full team training.
Al-Dawsari’s route back into the starting XI could be complicated by Al Hilal’s summer additions in his position. The club signed Brazilian Gabriel Martinelli and Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville to operate on the left wing, increasing competition for places in the attack.