Al-Hilal suffer a blow after key international midfielder undergoes surgery

Abdulmalek Al-Khaibri is unlikely to be seen in action until September. (AFP)

• Abdulmalek Al-Khaibri has a knee operation
• News is a setback for new coach Jorge Jesus

LONDON: Saudi Arabia international Abdulmalek Al-Khaibri will miss the start of Al-Hilal’s defense of their Saudi Pro League crown after he underwent surgery on Monday.
The midfielder, who went to the World Cup but did not play a single minute, has sustained a leg fracture on his return to preseason training with the champions and he could be out for up to two months.
“Abdulmalek underwent successful leg surgery today under the supervision of the club health care partner Bupa Arabia following his stress fracture injury,” read a club statement. “Al-Khaibri will go through treatment and rehab program for five to seven weeks. The player will join the group trainings after completing this program.”
The news will come as a blow to new coach Jorge Jesus. He would have identified Al-Khaibri, who has played 21 times for Al-Hilal since joining from Al-Shabab, as one of his key lieutenants. He has won 33 caps for his country, the last of which came in the 3-0 friendly lost to Peru last month. 
Al-Hilal get their season underway with an Arab Club Champions Cup game against Al-Shabab on Aug. 7 and then play Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Super Cup before they kick off the league season against Al-Feiha on Aug. 31.
Also on the injury front, key playmaker Nawaf Al-Abed is following a “preventative program” as he bids to works his way back from a lower abdominal injury. He has not played since Jan. 8 and missed out on the World Cup because he was not fit enough.
Midfielder Ahmad Ashraf is also on the road to recovery following surgery on his lower abdominal muscles while defender Abdullah Al-Hafith is recovering from a cruciate knee ligament injury.
The good news, though, is that Carlos Eduardo, the star Brazilian, is back in full training following the anterior cruciate ligament injury he sustained last year.