Betis Training Update: Junior Firpo Returns and Key Player Absences

The first training session of the week for Betis, following a two-day break granted by coach Pellegrini after the draw at Mestalla, featured Junior Firpo prominently. The Hispano-Dominican full-back has rejoined the team after recovering from an injury to the proximal third of his right hamstring sustained during the match against Atlético de Madrid. He is expected to be available for the upcoming LaLiga match against Girona next Sunday.

With Junior back in action and Isco also completing another day of training, the only notable absence—aside from international players currently representing their countries during this FIFA window, including Ricardo Rodríguez, Amrabat, Fornals, Abde, Lo Celso, Bakambu, and Pablo García—is Pau López. The goalkeeper will be out for several weeks due to a rupture of the tendon of the flexor digitorum muscle in his right leg. It seems unlikely that he will return this month, so he is expected to be sidelined until after the derby.

Meanwhile, Cucho Hernández underwent minimally invasive nasal surgery on Monday to improve his respiratory capacity. He has been training on the pitch at the Ciudad Deportiva Luis del Sol, albeit individually. The Colombian forward is anticipated to have no issues participating in the next league match, where he will aim to help the team regain its winning momentum in the pursuit of European competition and the Champions League.