Demichelis loses three starters to injury for Valencia visit | OneFootball

Real Mallorca will host Valencia with three first-team regulars sidelined, forcing Martín Demichelis to stretch his squad with seven games left. The islanders sit two points above Elche, who occupy the final relegation spot.

Luvumbo has a left hamstring tear and is expected to be out for around three weeks, Diario de Mallorca reports. Signed from Cagliari in January, the Angolan barely featured under Jagoba Arrasate but has impressed under his successor.

He started against Elche, Real Madrid and Rayo Vallecano, supplying a fine assist for Vedat Muriqi to make it 2-0 versus Rayo. Barring surprises, he will miss Valencia, Alavés and Girona, and could return for Villarreal on matchday 35 at Son Moix. Jan Virgili, a different profile, is likely to cover on Tuesday.

Captain Raíllo is also out for the season after ankle ligament surgery in Barcelona on 7 April, having played 2,033 minutes across 23 starts. Omar Mascarell and academy product David López have coped well, and Martín Valjent returns from suspension to face Valencia. Demichelis can also turn to Kumbulla.

The most serious setback is Mateo Joseph’s anterior cruciate ligament rupture in his left knee, sustained in training last Thursday at Son Bibiloni. The Leeds loanee faces at least six months out after 29 appearances and 1,704 minutes this term. Without him or Luvumbo, attacking options include Abdón, Virgili, Asano, Javi Llabrés and Kalumba.

Keeper Bergström has been absent from recent squads with fitness issues, while Leo Román sits on four yellow cards. Should he collect a fifth, veteran Pichu Cuéllar would step in. Jan Salas is also sidelined with a partial ACL tear in his right knee.

Source: Superdeporte