Athletic Bilbao has confirmed the availability of two key players for the next match against Valencia CF, which will be played at the Mestalla on Saturday. German coach Marcel Terzic has included Christian Imga, a youth international who had already been called up for the match against Rayo Vallecano, in the list of players who will travel to the Valencian city. Imga, who has become an essential reinforcement for the team's attack, will participate again after the absence of Nico Williams, who is still recovering from an injury to the rectus femoris of his left leg.
In the same training session on Thursday, Terzic also called up Juan Manuel Laporte, who was left out of the last trip due to an illness. Laporte, who had not trained with the group all week, joined Thursday's tasks after an intensity test carried out outside the group. His previous absence had been replaced by Djaló, who had been called up after a bout of flu that had kept him out of the initial squad. The inclusion of Laporte in the list of players who will travel to Valencia indicates that the coach is confident in his recovery and in his ability to provide stability in the central zone of the field.
The coach also took advantage of Thursday's training to work with José Luis Berenguer, who had followed individualized work sessions. The players who remain out of the group dynamic are Nico Williams, with an injury to his rectus femoris, and Sancet, who is injured in his soleus muscle. Terzic has stated that he is confident that Nico will return to training soon, while Sancet's recovery will require more time. Neither of the two players is expected to participate in the next duel against Valencia.
For Athletic, the immediate priority is the recovery of Nico Williams before the next match at San Mamés against Getafe, scheduled for October 25. As for Laporte, his inclusion in the squad for October 21, the day of the match against Levante, will depend on a significant improvement that allows risks to be avoided. Meanwhile, Sancet's situation will be considered long-term, with the expectation that he will be available in the near future. The team is preparing with the intention of having the maximum possible squad for the confrontation at the Mestalla and to ensure the continuity of its campaign in the league.