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Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernández could make his Chivas Guadalajara playing return as early as this weekend, after the veteran striker was surprisingly included in Los Rojiblancos’ squad for Saturday’s clash with Pumas.

Chicharito could get first Chivas action

Hernández, who has been recovering from a serious knee injury since June, trained alongside his Chivas team-mates for the first time as recently as this midweek. The 35-year-old was not expected to be ready for selection for at least another fortnight, but he has made such good progress in his rehabilitation that Guadalajara’s backroom team, led by head coach Fernando Gago, felt he was fit enough to make the bench for this weekend’s Liga MX clash at Estadio Akron.

Depending on how the game against Pumas unfolds, Hernández could be given his first minutes since rejoining his boyhood club.

After leaving MLS team Los Angeles Galaxy in November, the former Mexico star re-signed for Chivas on a free transfer in January, 14 years after leaving the 12-time Liga MX champions for Premier League giants Manchester United.

Hernández’s return to Guadalajara has caused huge excitement among fans, who packed out Chivas’ stadium for his unveiling. The club has sold thousands of shirts bearing the player’s name and number, and season tickets were quickly snapped up ahead of the Clausura 2024 tournament.

When was Chicharito’s last game?

Hernández has not played since tearing the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee on 7 June 2023, in the first half of the Galaxy’s 3-2 US Open Cup defeat to Real Salt Lake.

Macías also makes Chivas squad

Chicharito has been joined in Chivas’ 21-man matchday group by fellow forward Juan José Macías, who has not featured for El Rebaño Sagrado since a 1-1 draw with Tijuana in late January. Although Guadalajara have never publicly confirmed the cause of Macías’ injury absence, it is understood that the 24-year-old has been suffering from a calf issue.

Chivas squad to face Pumas:

Goalkeepers: Raúl Rangel, Oscar Whalley.

Defenders: Antonio Briseño, Gilberto Orozco, Alan Mozo, Leonardo Sepúlveda, Mateo Chávez, Jesús Sánchez.

Midfielders: Erick Gutiérrez, Víctor Guzmán, Eduardo Torres, Fernando Beltrán, Rubén González, Alejandro Organista.

Forwards: Roberto Alvarado, Ricardo Marín, José Juan Macías, Isaac Brizuela, Cade Cowell, Jesús Brígido, Javier Hernández.

Chivas vs Pumas: start time, how to watch

On matchday eight of the Liga MX’s Clausura 2024 tournament, Chivas host Pumas today, Saturday 24 February 2024, with kick-off at Estadio Akron scheduled for 8:05pm ET/5:05pm PT. Viewers in the United States can watch the game on Telemundo, Universo and Peacock.