Franco Escobar and Kevin Kratz, and possibly George Bello, won’t be available for Atlanta United in Thursday’s game against Herediano in the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions League series.

Atlanta United trails Herediano 3-1 after the first leg. The game will be played at Kennesaw State.

Escobar, a defender, and Kratz, a midfielder, have missed most of the preseason after sustaining injuries. Atlanta United manager Frank de Boer said both are close to returning. Kratz has re-joined training and will work with Atlanta United 2 to regain his fitness.

De Boer said it will be good to have Kratz back because the team doesn’t have a lot of midfielders.

Escobar suffered a shoulder injury on the first day of training camp.

Bello, 17, started and played 90 minutes in last week’s game. De Boer said Bello has a small issue and hopefully he will return to the team soon.

Should Bello not be able to play Thursday, Brek Shea, who signed as a free agent in the offseason, or Mikey Ambrose likely will start.