Saúl Ñíguez ruled out of Flamengo’s match against Bahia

Flamengo will be without midfielder Saúl Ñíguez against Bahia on Sunday in Salvador.

He has pain in his left thigh after taking a knock during a 0-0 draw with Argentina’s Estudiantes on Thursday.

Jorginho is expected to take his place after returning from suspension.

Flamengo are top of Brazil’s league, one point ahead of Palmeiras, while fifth-placed Bahia are trying to reach the top four.

The match is part of the league’s 31st round and comes as both teams pursue important goals.

Saúl is being rested ahead of Flamengo’s Libertadores semi-final return leg against Estudiantes on Thursday at the Maracanã.

That tie is level at 0-0, so Flamengo must win to reach the final directly.

The club’s medical staff will assess Saúl’s recovery, while the team also has several other players unavailable.