Erick Gutierrez (#15) has scored five goals in 11 career Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League games for Pachuca. (Photo: Mexsport)

PACHUCA, Mexico – With its 2016/17 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League semifinal, second-leg encounter against FC Dallas set for Tuesday, Pachuca is getting a boost with the return of Erick Gutierrez from injury.

The 21-year-old midfielder hurt his left foot in the first leg, a 2-1 away loss on March 15, forcing him to miss the Tuzos’ 3-0 setback at Queretaro three days later.

“I am recovered,” Gutierrez told reporters Thursday. “I had a match to rest and, in addition, the FIFA international break helped me recover 100%. I was doing therapy and I feel good to play Saturday (home v Puebla). The squad is full. There are no more injuries.”

The news could not be better for head coach Diego Alonso, whose side sits fifth in the 2017 Liga MX Clausura table, three points behind table-topping Guadalajara. Gutierrez has been a mainstay in the current SCCL, scoring two goals and adding two assists in five matches.

He’s excited to get back on the field.

“The rest that we had is going to help us a lot,” finished Gutierrez. “I think that we have made ourselves stronger at home and we will try to take the biggest advantage from the support of our fans. We will try to take advantage of the chance to play home matches. We intend to capitalize on playing various games at home. We’re focused on two tournaments. We know we have a squad that can compete in the two,” concluded Gutierrez.