Valverde hopeful Nico could return after the break | OneFootball

According to as.com, Athletic head to Montilivi to face Girona with a depleted defence. Paredes was seen on crutches at Lezama this week and remains out after a heavy contusion to his left calf in the Copa semi-final second leg against Real Sociedad.

He already missed the last league match at San Mamés. Centre-back issues persist, with Egiluz still not cleared after an ACL rupture and Yeray serving a doping ban, available from two April when the UEFA ban ends. Only Vivian, Laporte and the youngster Monreal are specialist centre-backs for tomorrow.

Valverde said Paredes’ recovery is still moving a little slowly. Unai Gómez also misses the trip through injury and Rego is suspended for an accumulation of bookings.

The coach sounded more optimistic on Unai Gómez. The midfielder has a bone contusion on the medial condyle of his left knee from that match, an injury that initially looked worse as he left with help and hardly put weight on it. Out of caution they are taking it slower, but Valverde believes he could be back next week.

The trio add to the known absences of the injured Nico Williams, Prados and Sannadi. On Nico, who began treatment with an external specialist for pubalgia on 16 February, Valverde did not set a date. He said Nico will not play tomorrow, the next match looks difficult and that it might be after the international break, though he does not know.

Source: as.com