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Pinilla setback hits Sporting chances

Injury has ruled in-form Sporting Clube de Portugal striker Mauricio Pinilla out of the second leg against AZ Alkmaar.

'Stretch and sprint'
The 21-year-old tore a muscle in his right thigh during training on Tuesday, and is also likely to miss Monday's Portuguese SuperLiga match against Vitória SC. "It was a normal training situation - he tried to stretch for the ball and after that made a long sprint, which caused the injury. He will not be able to fly to the Netherlands and will also probably miss next Monday's match," said Sporting doctor Gomes Pereira.

Growing injury list
The Chilean international joins Joseph Enakarhire, Rogerio and Carlos Martins on the sidelines, and coach José Peseiro admitted that the latter trio might not play again this season. However, midfielder Pedro Barbosa does return as Sporting aim to reach the UEFA Cup final, being played at their home ground.

Purple patch
Pinilla has been in fine form recently, scoring the second goal in the 2-1 first-leg win against Alkmaar, while also hitting a hat-trick in Sunday's 3-0 triumph at SC Braga.

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