Al Hilal turn to Simon Bouabre for Al Ittihad clash with Sergej Milinkovic-Savic absent

Al Hilal manager Simone Inzaghi is set to hand Simon Bouabre a surprise starting role in midfield for Saturday’s Saudi Pro League meeting with Al Ittihad.

The Riyadh side host their rivals at Kingdom Arena in the eighth round of the Roshn League, with Sergej Milinkovic-Savic unavailable after suffering an injury while on international duty with Serbia.

Captain Salem Al-Dawsari will also miss the game.

According to Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiyah, Inzaghi has decided to select 20-year-old Bouabre as the replacement for Milinkovic-Savic. The Italian coach is understood to have favoured an option capable of contributing in attacking areas from midfield.

Bouabre’s expected inclusion is notable because he has not been named in Al Hilal’s squad for any of their previous seven Roshn League matches this season.

The French midfielder has made only one appearance for the club during the current campaign. He featured in Al Hilal’s 2-1 victory over Qatar’s Al-Gharafa in the AFC Champions League Elite in September, before being substituted in the 66th minute.

Since joining Al Hilal in January, Bouabre has played 12 matches for the club. Only four of those appearances have been starts, while he has come on as a substitute in the other eight.

He has yet to score or provide an assist for the Saudi club.

Inzaghi’s decision would therefore give Bouabre his first opportunity to play in the Roshn League this season, and his selection comes as Al Hilal prepare to face an Al Ittihad side in one of the division’s biggest fixtures.