Club América starts to see progress from Ramos Mingo and Bueno ahead of Necaxa clash

Matchday 10 is already in the air at Coapa. América trained this Tuesday with an eye on Sunday's clash against Necaxa in Aguascalientes, and the name on everyone's lips inside Guillermo Almada's camp isn't one of the usual starters, but two new arrivals: Santiago Ramos Mingo and Santiago Bueno.

The Eagles' South American reinforcements are still working through the process of adjusting to the altitude in Mexico City, no small task for any player who's just arrived. The good news is that after several days training in the capital, both have shown clear physical improvement. That's turned on a green light, at least a partial one: both are expected to be included in the squad for the match against Rayos and could be options off the bench in central defense. What does seem off the table, for now, is either one starting from the opening whistle.

Not everything is good news at Coapa, though. Alan Cervantes was back training apart from the rest of the group, still dealing with the muscle injury that had already kept him out of the Mexican national team call-up. The midfielder isn't completely ruled out for the weekend, but the club would rather not rush his recovery: the goal is to manage him carefully so a minor issue doesn't turn into something worse.

The situation gets a bit more complicated when you factor in that América will be missing five players called up to various national teams during this FIFA date. There is at least one bit of relief for Almada: Kevin Álvarez trained normally with the rest of the group, and everything points to him being available to face the Hidrocálidos.

Borja or Martín, the Uruguayan's other dilemma

Beyond the reinforcements and the absences, there's a decision that's proving tough for Almada: who starts up front, Miguel Borja or Henry Martín. The Colombian arrived in fine scoring form after netting two goals in the clásico against Chivas, a brace that salvaged a point in a match that had looked headed for defeat. But he's up against a heavyweight rival: Martín is the team's captain, and that status carries weight in the Uruguayan coach's mind when it comes to picking the starting eleven for Aguascalientes.

With reinforcements starting to show signs of life, a midfielder being handled with patience, and a scoring dilemma still unresolved, América heads into the final stretch of the week with more questions than answers. Sunday, in any case, will provide the first ones.