Nekounam returns from injury

PFDC – PAMPLONA, Iran captain Javad Nekounam was selected for CA Osasuna’s roster for the Primera Division game against Granada on Sunday.

Nekounam was sidelined since being injured on his knee by Uruguayan striker Sebastian Soria in Iran’s World Cup qualifier against Qatar in Doha on September 7 (1-1), his 31st birthday.

Without the defensive midfielder and his still injured compatriot Masoud Shojaei, Osasuna defeated Sporting Gijon 2-1, but were hammered 8-0 by mighty FC Barcelona last weekend before struggling to a goalless draw against Sevilla in midweek.

While Nekounam, who resumed training with the team this week, will at least make the bench, Shojaei is still recovering from a nasty foot injury he suffered in La Liga last season.