When will Monterrey and Mexico striker Rogelio Funes Mori return from injury?
Monterrey striker Rogelio Funes Mori, who on Tuesday was included in the latest Mexico squad, has been missing with a thigh injury sustained a month ago.
CF Monterrey have offered an update on the fitness of injured trio Rogelio Funes Mori, Luis Romo and Erick Aguirre, who have been sidelined for Los Albiazules’ recent matches in the Liga MX Apertura 2022 tournament.
Funes Mori moving closer to comeback
Of particular significance was the news on star striker Funes Mori, who suffered a thigh muscle injury in mid-August. On Tuesday, the 31-year-old was called up to the Mexico squad for El Tri’s US friendlies against Peru and Colombia on 24 and 27 September - a trip that coincides with his expected return to availability.
“After four weeks of rehabilitation, the player continues to carry out strengthening work and individual drills on the training pitch,” Monterrey said of Funes Mori in a statement published on the club’s official website. “It is estimated that he will be given the medical all-clear in two weeks.”
Romo out for longer, Aguirre close to comeback
Monterrey also confirmed that Romo has a grade 2 hamstring strain, and is expected to return in approximately two to three weeks.
Aguirre was the subject of the most optimistic prognosis, the club revealing that he is in the final stages of his recovery and is likely to get the green light to make his comeback within five to seven days.
If the timeline offered by Monterrey does not change, all three players can expect to be fit when the Liga MX playoffs begin in October.
When do the Liga MX playoffs start?
The initial round - contested by the clubs that finish from fifth to 12th in the regular-season standings - is scheduled for 8 and 9 October. However, Monterrey are close to sealing a bye into the quarter-finals as one of the top four teams in the table. With two more games to play, Víctor Manuel Vucetich’s men currently sit second in Liga MX, five points clear of fifth-placed Santos Laguna.
The first legs of the playoffs last eight are due to be played on 12 and 13 October.
Monterrey back in training
After their 1-0 win over Juárez on Friday, Monterrey’s players were given Saturday, Sunday and Monday off to recharge their batteries ahead of their final regular-season games.
The squad then returned to work at their Barrial training ground on Tuesday.