Jota sent coded Ittihad challenge as Celtic hero told the rules how to complete remarkable Saudi U-turn

Al Ittihad boss Nuno Espirito Santo has offered hope to fringe man Jota after he netted his first goal since leaving Celtic.

The Premiership champions sold the winger for £25m as the Saudi Pro League champions as Ittihad splashed the cash on big named signings like Karim Benzema, Fabinho and N'Golo Kante ahead of the new campaign season. But since leaving Celtic behind the winger has faced a nightmare time in the Middle East with speculation that he could be moved on just weeks after leaving Glasgow's east end to meet Saudi league rules over the number of foreign players allowed in each squad.

With rumours swirling that a mega-money moved to bring Mo Salah in from Liverpool could get over the line the 24-year-old faces being the odd man out - but he shut out the noise over an exit when he came on to replace Ballon d'Or winner Benzema after just half an hour in the clash with Al-Wehda. The Scottish Treble winner netted in the second half to cap off an impressive display for the Saudi league leaders.

Benzema is now a major doubt for the showdown with Al Hilal - branded the Saudi El Clásico - this Friday. But Nuno has backed his fringe stars to step up and fill the void after Jota's heroics - and could looks to stick the the attacker amid swirling rumours about his future.

The former Wolves and Tottenham boss said: "Soon we will receive Karim Benzema's tests, and we will know if he is ready to face El Clasico or not. We have to wait and see. The importance of the substitutes appeared in giving the addition. They work well and train well. We are not only 11 players. Everyone is committed to improving on a daily basis."

The veiled praise for the former Hoops star comes amid reports that Nuno has told Jota's agent to find