Arsenal FC v Bayer 04 Leverkusen - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg
Arsenal defender Piero Hincapie is heading back to London early (Picture: Getty Images)
Piero Hincapie is the latest Arsenal star to return early from international duty, leaving the Ecuador squad after medical tests.
The defender started Ecuador’s friendly against Morocco on Friday, playing 72 minutes before being replaced during the match in Madrid.
It has since been confirmed that he, along with his international teammate Denil Castillo of FC Midtjylland, underwent tests and have withdrawn from the squad ahead of Ecuador’s next fixture against Netherlands on Tuesday.
The nature of Hincapie’s injury was not disclosed, but he will immediately return to Arsenal where he will begin his recovery.
A statement from the Ecuadorian Football Federation read: ‘The Ecuadorian Football Federation reports that players Piero Hincapie and Denil Castillo underwent medical and imaging tests and, based on the evaluation, both have been withdrawn from the squad.
‘The results were immediately sent to their clubs, where they will begin their respective recovery processes.
‘The national team’s medical staff will monitor their progress.’
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Morocco v Ecuador - International Friendly
Hincapie started the match at Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Friday (Picture: Getty Images)
The 24-year-old has been a regular in Mikel Arteta’s first team this season, making 21 Premier League appearances and 31 in all competitions, scoring one goal.
With a busy schedule to come over the rest of the season in the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup, Arteta will be keen to have the Ecuadorian back fit as soon as possible.
Hincapie’s early return to London is the latest headache on a stressful international break for the Gunners in terms of their players’ fitness.
England v Uruguay - International Friendly
Noni Madueke’s World Cup hopes are in doubt (Picture: Getty Images)
Noni Madueke was substituted in the first half of England’s draw with Uruguay at Wembley, with concern over the severity of the knee injury he has suffered.
Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka have also left the England camp and return to Arsenal ‘for medical assessment,’ so will not feature against Japan on Tuesday.
Speaking of Madueke’s injury, England boss Thomas Tuchel said: ‘I’m worried, of course, because I think he was a difference-maker today.
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‘He started well, he was full of energy, he was ready to go.’
‘And I think against a team like Uruguay, who relies on one-against-ones, to isolate them there and to go in one-against-ones from every minute out there, the spaces open up and he could have been a key player for us, which he is.
‘Very sad and upset and hopefully it’s not a big injury.’
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