Barrenetxea and Sucic in line to return for Real Sociedad's trip to Mallorca
Real Sociedad could welcome back Ander Barrenetxea and Luka Sucic for Saturday's La Liga clash at Mallorca after both trained normally this week.
Two of Real Sociedad’s key men look set to end their injury absences this weekend, with the Txuri-urdin heading to Mallorca on Saturday with a much-needed boost to their squad depth.
The returning faces
Ander Barrenetxea and Luka Sucic have both been out with muscular injuries for several weeks, but the pair were back training with the group at Zubieta this week — a proper encouraging sign ahead of the weekend. Having had a few sessions under their belts already towards the end of last week, and now integrating fully with the squad, all the signs point to head coach Pellegrino Matarazzo naming both in his squad for the trip to Son Moix.
It’s a timely return, frankly. La Real have been a bit light in midfield and wide areas without them, and getting those two back fit and firing could make a real difference as the season heads into its business end.
Soler ready to go properly this time
There’s another name to watch too — Carlos Soler was in the squad against Oviedo last Saturday but didn’t get a minute on the pitch. The reason? A bout of gastroenteritis combined with having just become a new dad. Fair enough, lad — priorities and all that. This weekend, though, the Valencia-born midfielder should be fully available and a genuine option for Matarazzo to call upon. Consider him a fresh addition to the mix.
The injury cloud still hanging over Zubieta
It’s not all rosy, mind. Real Sociedad are still dealing with a few notable absentees:
- Álvaro Odriozola — suffered a serious injury on Tuesday and is now out for the foreseeable. This was actually the first training session of the season without him, which tells you everything.
- Take Kubo — the Japanese winger has been sidelined for over five weeks now, and there’s still no return date on the horizon. His absence is a proper blow.
- Iñaki Rupérez — been out since the summer. Long road back for him.
Three long-term injuries is a lot for any squad to absorb, and Matarazzo will be well chuffed to be getting bodies back on the other side of the ledger.
One bit of good news off the pitch
On a brighter note, there was a nice moment at the start of training when the squad congratulated Marrero on signing a contract extension until 2030. Always good for morale, that sort of thing — a bit of good vibes before getting down to the graft of preparing for Mallorca.