VALENCIA - ATHLETIC: Nico Williams in surprise Copa del Rey squad for Mestalla tie | OneFootball

Valencia and Athletic Club meet at Mestalla on Wednesday for a Copa del Rey semi-final place, and the visitors have sprung a surprise. According to Superdeporte, Athletic named their squad on Tuesday and included Nico Williams.

Both teams arrive in difficult league form, yet buoyed by the knockout competition, and both have deep history in it.

In recent hours it had been indicated that Williams was feeling the effects of pubalgia and could be out for weeks. Instead, the player and coaching staff have ruled out a pause, so he will travel to Valencia with a chance of featuring, though that does not make him a starter.

Sporting director Mikel González said doctors had advised him to stop physical activity, describing a complex issue that differs from the problem at the end of last season. He added that Williams recovered in the summer, then sustained a left adductor injury with Spain in September that he has carried throughout this campaign.

Head coach Ernesto Valverde had already left the door ajar in his pre-match media call, casting Williams as doubtful and saying the situation would be assessed on Tuesday.

Source: Superdeporte