Details have now emerged over whether Jordi Alba will return from injury tonight for Inter Miami in the Florida derby against Orlando City SC.
The former FC Barcelona star has missed the last four games after picking up a hamstring injury last month away to Sporting Kansas City, with Franco Negri filling in for Alba in recent weeks.
Whilst Inter Miami have won every game in Alba’s absence thanks to the record-breaking genius of Lionel Messi, the 35-year-old defender’s star quality has been missed both at the back and in the attack.
Yet the left-back’s return for Inter Miami could now be on the horizon.
Alba set to return from injury tonight for Inter Miami vs Orlando
According to Michelle Kaufman, Alba is available to play this evening for the Herons away in Orlando and could be in line to feature for Inter Miami in the Florida derby.
With Messi a potential doubt, Alba’s return will be welcomed by Inter Miami fans, who tonight could see their winning run come to an end if Tata Martino chooses to rotate his team.
Indeed, Alba would add a lot of quality that’s been lacking in the defense in recent weeks, and the veteran defender will want to make an impression in his first game back in over a month.
Kaufman said when asked about Alba: “Jordi Alba will be available to play. He’s missed the last several games with a hamstring injury, but he’s returned to practice, and he is expected to play against Orlando.”
Alba could be key for in pre-Copa American run-in
Inter Miami’s main mission for the next few weeks is to collect as many points as possible before the Copa America camps are called in, which will see the likes of Messi and Matias Rojas leave for as long as a month.
As many as five Inter Miami starters could be gone if the right selections are made, and for Alba, the defender will be key for the Herons if they want to be as comfortable as possible when the Copa America stars.
The former Barcelona star will be one of the few key players who will stay with Inter Miami this summer, and Alba will want to perform and to keep the Herons going in their bid to qualify for the MLS playoffs.