WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Orlando Pirates have three players suspended for Sunday’s clash away at Royal AM with firstchoice goalkeeper Sipho Chaine, left attacker Deon Hotto and midfielder Miguel Timm all sidelined after an accumulation of cautions. The three were among seven Pirates players booked in last weekend’s tempestuous win over AmaZulu in Soweto.

⏺ Real Madrid’s Ferland Mendy will miss out tonight’s clash at Real Sociedad due to a muscular complaint. The Frenchman is expected to be fit for next week’s Champions League semi-final first leg with Bayern

Munich. Coach Carlo Ancelotti is expected to rest several important players for this match with Nacho, Fran Garcia, Luka Modric, Brahim Diaz and Joselu likely to play tonight.

⏺ Irish international Evan Ferguson has had his season cut short after initially looking to play through pain caused by an ankle problem. He is one of some nine players on the injury list at Brighton, where Pervis Estupinan has been ruled out for all remaining fixtures this term due to a calf muscle injury.

⏺ Percy Tau came on in the second half last

Friday for Al Ahly in their Champions League semi-final first leg against Congolese club TP Mazembe in a comeback appearance after an ankle injury and could be thrust into the starting line-up for the return in Cairo tonight. Emam Ashour and Marwan Attia, however, miss out through injury. The first leg was goalless.

⏺In January, Xavi Hernández said he would quit as Barcelona’s coach after this season, but the club icon has had a change of heart. He will now serve out his contract, which runs until the end of next season.