Junior Firpo has returned early to Sevilla to be examined by Real Betis medical staff after suffering muscular discomfort on international duty with the Dominican Republic. The 30-year-old left-back was forced off just ten minutes into the match against Haiti on October 2, a game he started despite carrying a prior issue.

The player explained the problem began during the match against Trinidad and Tobago on September 28, where he played 81 minutes. Three days earlier, on September 25, he had completed 78 minutes against Nicaragua. Firpo chose to start against Haiti but had to be substituted quickly. "The truth is I came with discomfort from the match against Trinidad and Tobago and felt a stronger stretch than usual," Firpo said. "Now we wait for the tests, to see if I return to the club, they have already called me and want to see what's there."

The assessment will determine if there is a muscular injury and the approximate recovery time needed. This potential absence comes at a difficult time for Betis, who face nine matches in 28 days across LaLiga EA Sports, the Champions League, and the Copa del Rey before the next international break.

With Fran García still away with the Spain national team, an injury to Firpo would leave the manager with only one specialist left-back available. The club, sitting third in La Liga with 16 points from seven games, host 13th-placed Osasuna at the Benito Villamarín on October 11. The Verdiblancos head into that match on a five-game unbeaten run, with four wins and a draw in their last outing against Deportivo La Coruña (1-1). Their recent form is key for a side that has scored in 11 of the last 15 minutes of their league matches, a statistic that highlights their persistence in the final moments.

Firpo also criticised the new international calendar format, which saw his national team play four matches in eleven days. "For sure. I didn't really understand why they changed the break." he stated. The defender was already excluded from his country's final match against Nicaragua.

Read the full report at Marca - Primera