UD Almería shifts focus to Real Valladolid CF amid injury and international absences

UD Almería’s attention has now fully turned to their upcoming match against Real Valladolid CF, another serious contender for promotion to top-flight LaLiga. The clash will be a pivotal one, with Valladolid currently sitting in 3rd place in the standings, having secured 2 wins and 2 draws from their opening matches.

As the international break progresses, head coach Rubi and his staff are preparing for the challenge ahead, while also closely monitoring the fitness of their players. The squad will welcome back several international players in the coming days, including Soko, Dzodic, and Perovic, who are currently away with their respective national teams (Cameroon, Serbia U21 and Montenegro U21). Although all three are expected to be available for the match, their fitness levels will need careful assessment, particularly with Soko, who is recovering from an ankle injury.

Meanwhile, the status of injured players Chumi and Nelson Monte remains uncertain. Chumi, who has been sidelined with an ankle sprain, is considered a serious doubt for the upcoming fixture, while Rubi remains optimistic about Monte's recovery. The Portuguese defender, who has been out since pre-season, is expected to make a return soon, though his availability for the Pucela game is still to be determined.

Additionally, Lopy, who was sent off in the previous match, will be unavailable for the fixture. The team held a recovery session for the players who featured most heavily in the match against Cántabros, while those with less playing time underwent a more intense training regimen. 

The squad will resume full training on Wednesday, with preparations ramping up for the crucial encounter.