Yuri on special recovery plan after early Copa return
Athletic Club's key defender follows alternative training regime after rushing back from injury to play in the Copa del Rey against Cultural Leonesa.
Athletic’s Yuri Berchiche is following a special recovery programme after making an earlier-than-expected return from injury in the Copa del Rey.
Training absences at Lezama
Athletic Club’s preparation for Saturday’s La Liga clash with Mallorca has seen several players missing from the main training session at Lezama. Only those who didn’t start against Cultural Leonesa in the Copa del Rey participated in outdoor training.
Yuri Berchiche was notably absent from the group session. The left-back, who had been sidelined with a muscle injury, made a surprise early comeback in the Copa match when manager Ernesto Valverde deployed him to shore up the central defence following Aitor Paredes’ red card.
After being thrust into high-intensity action ahead of schedule, the Zarautz-born defender is now on an alternative recovery plan aimed at getting him match-ready as quickly as possible without risking further injury.
Other absentees
Several other key players were also missing from the main group training:
- Alex Berenguer - Dealing with an ongoing issue with the first toe of his right foot that often requires injections to play
- Mikel Vesga - Sidelined with back problems
- Aymeric Laporte - Still recovering from a muscle injury suffered against Atlético Madrid
Paredes, who was sent off in León before the hour mark, did participate in the outdoor session with those who didn’t start the cup match.
Egiluz on the road to recovery
In more positive news for the Basque outfit, young centre-back Egiluz was spotted training separately as he continues his lengthy rehabilitation process. The defender has yet to feature this season after undergoing surgery in early August for a ruptured cruciate ligament in his right knee.
Having completed the first three phases of his recovery programme, Egiluz is currently working through individual circuit training. His next milestone will be reintegrating with the group, though he’ll reach the six-month mark of his recovery in February.
The team has one more training session before travelling to Palma for Saturday’s league fixture against Mallorca.