Zion Suzuki misses Japan group training with rib injury

Zion Suzuki has reportedly been withdrawn from full training with Japan due to a rib injury sustained during his duties with Aston Villa. Sport Witness, citing the Japanese newspaper Hochi, states that the goalkeeper followed an individual programme rather than joining his national team colleagues for a session in Chiba City on Tuesday.

The 24-year-old completed the entire match in Villa's 3-2 Premier League victory over Tottenham Hotspur at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday 19 September. He then travelled to link up with the Samurai Blue for their current international window, which includes friendlies against Uruguay and Venezuela.

Suzuki joined Aston Villa from Parma in a deal announced on Wednesday 19 August, shortly before the summer transfer window closed. According to Sport Witness, he has made six appearances for the club this season, keeping one clean sheet while conceding seven goals. Juventus had monitored him previously, and Paris Saint-Germain came close to signing him before Villa secured his services.

Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu had been expected to use Suzuki as his primary goalkeeper throughout the break. The setback may now prompt Moriyasu to consider alternatives when his side face Uruguay. The manager is likely to address the situation in his pre-match press conference ahead of that fixture.

For Unai Emery, the immediate concern will be whether Suzuki recovers in time for Villa's next Premier League match at home to Brentford on Saturday 10 October. With the transfer window shut until January 2027, no short-term reinforcements can be brought in should the problem prove more serious than initially feared.

Aston Villa have not commented publicly on the matter. The club's medical staff are understood to be in contact with their Japanese counterparts to monitor the goalkeeper's rehabilitation over the coming days.