Borja Iglesias and Pablo Durán fit for Valencia clash as Celta kick off 2026
Celta Vigo receive double fitness boost with key players returning from injury for their first match of 2026 against Valencia at Balaídos.
Celta’s treatment room empties just in time for their first fixture of 2026, with two key players back in contention after spells on the sidelines.
Injury boosts for Giráldez
Some proper good news for the Galician outfit as they prepare to welcome Valencia to Balaídos this Saturday. Both Pablo Durán and star striker Borja Iglesias have shaken off their respective injuries and returned to full training on Thursday evening, giving manager Claudio Giráldez a welcome selection headache.
Durán has been absent since picking up a knock in the December 7th clash against Real Madrid, where he’d been limited to individual training sessions during his recovery process. The youngster’s return provides Celta with additional creative options as they look to start the new year with a bang.
The Panda returns
Meanwhile, Borja Iglesias - affectionately known as ‘The Panda’ - has recovered from the injury that ruled him out of Celta’s final game of 2025 against Oviedo. The Spain international, who’s been the club’s top marksman this season, picked up a knock during their Copa del Rey tie with Albacete.
In a sign of his commitment to the sky blues, Iglesias actually cut short his holiday break to accelerate his recovery process. That’s what I call proper dedication to the cause - the bloke clearly couldn’t wait to get back on the pitch!
Defensive reinforcement
The good news doesn’t stop there for Celta supporters. Central defender Carlos Domínguez could also receive medical clearance to return to action. The Spanish centre-back has been sidelined since December 10th with a fibrillar tear in his left thigh adductor, but appears ready to bolster Giráldez’s defensive options.
With three potential returnees, Celta look to be in decent nick as they prepare for their first challenge of 2026. After a bit of a mixed bag in the first half of the season, these injury boosts couldn’t have come at a better time for the Galicians.