Paredes steps up cautiously at Lezama with Getafe in sight | OneFootball

Aitor Paredes has stepped up his work at Lezama, training apart from the group in running trainers on Wednesday and still short of full clearance.

According to El Correo, the Athletic centre-back continues to manage a left-calf contusion sustained at the start of March, which kept him out of recent games and prevented a return against Betis.

Caution has defined the plan in Lezama, with prudence favoured over haste. In the meantime, Athletic have found defensive solutions while awaiting one of their most reliable centre-backs.

The next target is Getafe, scheduled for Sunday five April at 14.00 at the Coliseum, on matchday 30. Before that fixture, Getafe and Athletic are level on 38 points, in eighth and ninth place respectively, in a congested pursuit of Europe.

Every sign from Paredes in training is being scrutinised. A win in Madrid would hit a direct rival and bolster European hopes, while anything less would hand ground to others. Paredes is pushing to make the trip, and the club are monitoring each step to avoid rushing.

Source: El Correo