Villarreal’s Raúl Albiol Returns to Training After Three Weeks Out
Vila-real – Villarreal’s central defender Raúl Albiol rejoined training on Thursday after a three-week absence due to muscle issues.
The defender, who had been dealing with discomfort, had to leave the field during Villarreal’s match at Mestalla on January 2nd and had not trained with his teammates since then.
Albiol was substituted in the 17th minute of that game by central defender Eric Bailly, the club’s first winter signing. However, Villarreal has since added another player for that position, Colombian Yerson Mosquera, increasing competition for Albiol.
Albiol’s recovery leaves four players in the infirmary: Yeremy Pino, Denis Suárez, Alfonso Pedraza, and Ramón Terrats. The club is optimistic that Suárez will be able to rejoin group training shortly.
Additionally, coach Marcelino García Toral will be able to welcome back defender Aïssa Mandi, who, after Algeria’s elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations, is set to rejoin the first-team squad.
Villarreal will conduct a final training session on Friday to wrap up preparations for the upcoming match against Barcelona, concluding the second week without games since Marcelino’s arrival.
