Real Zaragoza confirm Ander Herrera out vs UD Ibiza

Real Zaragoza have confirmed the absence of Ander Herrera as their captain for the game against UD Ibiza, due to a persistent lumbar issue. As Sport reports, the back problem he has been carrying since last week already comes with an official medical report, which rules him out for a second consecutive match.

Medical setback for Ibiza

The club says tests were carried out and that Herrera will soon start specific treatments to manage the pain, with his return to training depending on how he progresses. While the recovery timeline is described as unpredictable, the piece notes that it could be at least two weeks in theory, making a spot in the clash against Teruel on October 4 unlikely.

Out again after Cartagena

Sport adds that Herrera was also sidelined previously by this same issue in the Real Zaragoza match against Cartagena. This week he trained with the group—at least during the portion of training the club lets the media see—but the plan was clear from the start: he would not be forced to play at Can Misses.

Team news for the trip

With Herrera out, Ibai Gómez will have one fewer option. The report says that this Thursday the session at the club’s facilities included all 22 available first-team players plus academy names (Manolache, Monzón—available for this game even though he heads to Ecuador with the U-20s on the 27th—and Tobajas). The squad departs for Madrid this evening before taking a flight to Ibiza for the match at 21:15 at Can Misses, according to Sport.