Chile maestro Jorge Valdivia’s second spell in the Arabian Gulf League could get under way when Al Wahda host Al Shabab.
Valdivia, 31, has been forced to wait for his debut after only being able to join up with his new team-mates after his contract at Palmeiras expired on August 17.
The subsequent international break – in which he started La Roja’s 3-2 friendly win against Paraguay – delayed the process further.
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Speaking before the visit of their top-four rivals, Clarets boss Javier Aguirre declared the participation of the celebrated former Al Ain playmaker will be decided by how he performs in training.
He said: “All matches are tough, regardless of the opponent. We cannot underestimate the importance of any opponent.
“The levels are close between all the teams and we deal with each match like it is a final.
“There are no absences except for Adel Abdullah, who will miss the next four months after suffering a fracture of the ankle. The participation of Valdivia will be determined during the workouts leading up to the game.”
Valdivia starred for the Boss from 2008-10, winning the 2008/09 President’s Cup and Arabian Gulf Cup double.
Meanwhile, Al Ain boss Zlatko Dalic has declared the exertions of his sizeable international contingent have handed an advantage to Al Wasl.
The top-flight champions had 13 players away with various national sides, including the eight involved in the UAE’s pair of 2018 World Cup qualifiers and friendly win
Myanmar.
The Cheetahs have no such worries and come into tonight’s match boosted by their 2-1 opening triumph at hotly-tipped Al Jazira.
“Al Wasl showed a good level in the first round against Al Jazira,” Dalic said. “In the last 20 days, they have been able to prepare at full strength unlike Al Ain – I missed the efforts of 13 players.”
He is likely to be without right-back Mohammed Fawzi, who was injured during the 10-0 demolition of Malaysia. But striker Emmanuel Emenike should return from injury after he featured in Nigeria’s 2-0 friendly win against Niger.
