Ayase Ueda and Ko Itakura face injury setbacks

Japanese international footballers Ayase Ueda and Ko Itakura are facing injury setbacks that may impact their availability for upcoming international fixtures.

Ayase Ueda, playing for LOSC Lille, sustained a left foot injury during a UEFA Champions League match against Arsenal. Reports indicate he has been diagnosed with a plantar fascia rupture. Lille manager Davide Ancelotti stated that the nature of the injury makes it difficult to predict a recovery timeline, noting that the return depends on pain levels and treatment progress. Media reports suggest he may miss the Japan national team's November matches against Brazil and Paraguay.

Ko Itakura, playing for Borussia Mönchengladbach, has been diagnosed with a tear in the left gluteus medius muscle. While the injury is described as unusual and difficult to predict, manager Alexander Blessin indicated that Itakura is expected to recover within the next two weeks, potentially making him available for Japan's match against Brazil on November 14.