Corberán faces deepening Valencia defensive crisis as Núñez misses training | OneFootball

Valencia’s defensive options have thinned further, with Unai Núñez absent from training and a raft of centre-back injuries, leaving Carlos Corberán short ahead of their next league match.

According to Superdeporte, Núñez, on loan from Celta, sustained a hamstring problem against Celta on 5 April, missed Elche at the Martínez Valero, and did not train on Tuesday after the squad’s Monday rest. Corberán hopes to have him back quickly, but his absence suggests the issue has not cleared.

With Diakhaby out for the season and Copete doubtful, Eray Cömert is also sidelined by an abdominal muscle injury picked up against Elche. That leaves only César Tárrega as a senior centre-back.

Even Tárrega did not work with the group on Tuesday, although this may be load management, as the club have not reported any injury or complaint.

The schedule offers a sliver of respite. Because of the Copa del Rey final, LaLiga resumes for Valencia on Tuesday 21, when they visit Mallorca, giving Corberán extra days to recover Núñez or Cömert.

If neither is ready, Corberán has tested Pepelu at centre-back in training. The midfielder from Denia has largely been on the fringes since Guido Rodríguez arrived, but has previously filled in at the back.

To use a natural centre-back, he would need to pick from the academy, something he has not done in LaLiga this season. Rubén Iranzo, fit again and capable at right-back or centre-back, was kept at the club last summer in case of a moment like this.

Other options include Alejandro Panach, who debuted in the Copa del Rey against lower-league opposition, and Joel Fontanet, recently renewed and named in squads but yet to debut.

There was also a concern up front as Hugo Duro missed group training with leg discomfort. He will undergo tests to rule out injury, although it does not appear serious.

Source: Superdeporte