José Copete ‘to target’ return after September international break at Valencia | OneFootball

José Copete is into the final stretch of a longer-than-expected recovery and, according to À Punt’s El Partit de la Una, is targeting a return after the September international break.

The Valencia centre-back has stepped up his conditioning to come back in the best possible shape and be available to Carlos Corberán amid a bruising start to the season for the defence.

He has signalled frustration during the lay-off, indicating he would address aspects around the injury in due course, while keeping his focus on returning as soon and as well as possible. He has also supplemented club work with external training to accelerate his fitness.

Corberán has recently switched to a back three, a set-up that may suit Copete on the left side, where he showed his best level at Mallorca. The role is more compact than a back four and could play to his aggressive marking.

Competition for that spot is clear. Justin De Haas is the primary rival for the left-sided centre-back berth, and Copete’s return would broaden options in a unit short of specialists.

Before the setback he had offered positive signs. Last season began shakily but he grew in confidence and performance before being forced to stop.

Now he is looking ahead, counting down the days to compete again, potentially in a tactical context that could favour him.

Source: Superdeporte

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