Ecuador suffers from captain and Jefferson Montero's absences

One week before the double date of the Russia 2018 Qualifiers, Ecuador suffers the absences of their captain, Walter Ayoví , and Jefferson Montero . The bad results that the Ecuadorian team has had are compounded by the injuries to two of their main figures before their match against Chile in Quito.

Jefferson Montero, midfielder for Swansea City in the Premier League, became the first absence for Ecuador in the matches against Chile and Bolivia in October, for the Russia 2018 Qualifiers.

Montero "will not attend the call-up for the matches against Chile and Bolivia for the qualifiers," said the Ecuadorian Football Federation on Friday. It added that the midfielder was sidelined due to a "fibrillar strain in the right calf that will keep him away from the field for approximately four weeks."

Montero was part of the group of 31 players called up last Monday by the coach of the national team, Gustavo Quinteros, to face Chile on October 6 in Quito, for the ninth round of the qualifying round, and Bolivia on October 11 in La Paz.

Ayoví, left-back for Mexican Monterrey, is suffering from heel pain and Achilles tendonitis in his left foot. He was not considered by Antonio Mohamed to play in the 12th round of the Liga MX. The left-back and captain of the Ecuadorian national team would thus miss the matches of the next double round of the Russia 2018 Qualifiers. The medical staff of the Ecuadorian national team will wait for the official report from the Mexican club to confirm Ayoví's withdrawal.

The preliminary squad includes several players suffering from injuries and a dozen yellow-carded. Gabriel Achilier and Michael Arroyo are also suspended for the match against Chile.

After four games without being able to win, Ecuador, who was in first place in the qualifiers, is fifth with 13 points, three behind leaders Uruguay.