América down to bare bones if Roger Martínez misses Necaxa clash | OneFootball

América will likely have to give youth its fling if Roger Martínez does not recover in time to face Necaxa on Saturday.

The Colombia striker was targeted by Querétaro in the stalemate between the sides last Thursday.

He was seen wearing a knee brace and limping at training the following day, which has cast doubt on his availabilty for the Azulcrema’s first home game of the 2021 Apertura.

With fellow attackers Henry Martín and Sebastián Córdova both away on international duty for Mexico at the Olympics, manager Santiago Solari is not exactly spoilt for choice should he need to replace Martínez.

Youngsters Román Martínez and Luis Gutiérrez were on the bench at the Estadio Corregidora.

The former has one senior appearance to his name, playing his part in a league win over Atlas early last season. Gutiérrez has no competitive first-team experience under his belt, although he did feature during the recent pre-season tour in the USA.

Solari’s only other option is 18-year-old Esteban Lozano, who came on for eight minutes in the Concacaf Champions League quarter-final second leg against Atlanta United last December.

Ultimately, Las Águilas will be crossing their fingers their sole senior striker is fit and ready for a 90-minute shift at the Estadio Azteca come the weekend.