Athletic Club suffer major Copa quarter-final blow as Oihan Sancet out at Mestalla | OneFootball

According to Superdeporte, Athletic Club will be without Oihan Sancet for the Copa del Rey quarter-final at Mestalla on Wednesday 4 February. Ernesto Valverde’s side face Valencia.

The Navarrese playmaker suffered a right biceps femoris injury during the Champions League tie against Sporting de Portugal, and was withdrawn on 50 minutes after feeling thigh discomfort. The medical report describes a moderate issue, and recovery will take several weeks, effectively ruling him out of the cup tie.

Sancet has emerged as a central figure in Athletic’s attack, blending goals, ball-carrying and supply to team-mates. His influence has underpinned much of their forward play.

He is not the only absentee for the trip. Valverde must rework his squad amid a demanding run of fixtures, with the treatment room filling again.

Nico Williams continues to manage physical problems, and Dani Vivian still has muscle issues that complicate an immediate return. The absences also include Iñaki Williams, Aymeric Laporte and others still in recovery, leaving Athletic short for a one-off tie against a Valencia side buoyed by a recent league win there.

Source: Superdeporte