The LA Galaxy got mixed injury updates ahead of their game against LAFC on Saturday (6 pm ET | FOX, MLS Live on DAZN).
Head coach Guillermo Barros Schelotto revealed that Jonathan dos Santos has been training and will be available for selection, but Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez will still be out due to a calf injury that limited him to just one game at the MLS is Back Tournament.
"Chicharito is not ready, he's not training yet," Schelotto told reporters on a video conference call Thursday. "He's with the medical staff working. I don't know when he'll be ready, I hope as soon as possible because we need a player like him on the pitch. You know how important he is for this team."
The pair are two of the Galaxy's most important players, who occupy two of their three Designated Player slots. Chicharito's Galaxy career hasn't gotten off the best start but the club is more than confident in his goalscoring abilities and await his return.
Dos Santos has been limited to just 45 minutes this season and didn't travel with the team to Orlando last month due to a groin injury, but will be back anchoring the midfield against LAFC. The 30-year-old started 29 matches in 2019.
"I don’t feel 100%, but I feel good," dos Santos said. "The most important part is that my injury has healed, I'm very happy to be back with the team. It’s been a long time without playing."
Dos Santos added that he doesn't feel 90 minutes fit, but feels comfortable with 35 or 40 minutes.
LAFC, meanwhile, will welcome back Carlos Vela into the squad after he missed the MLS is Back Tournament for personal reasons. LAFC beat the Galaxy 6-2 in group stage play, though the Galaxy twice took a first half lead before LAFC ran away with the match in the second 45.
