Canales gains options for Athletic with Sancet’s injury

Mikel Sancet’s absence forces Terzic to reshuffle at Athletic, and Willian José Canales has emerged as the most straightforward option to cover the attacking midfield role. The navarrese has started from the media punta in six league games so far, and now the staff must find a replacement while Sancet stays out.

Terzic has other possibilities thanks to squad flexibility: Berenguer and Robert Navarro, or even a double forward look with Guruzeta and Iñaki. Still, Canales fits best because in his first two starts he played out of central midfield, completing the opening games versus Sevilla and Barcelona.

His latest return also matters. After minutes against Celta, he suffered a physical issue and was sidelined. He came back before the break, entering in the final quarter of an hour to help secure a draw against Alavés. During the international break he was called up by Spain Under-21 and played the last stretch of the 7-1 win over Romania that sealed qualification for the European Championship, and he returned to Lezama yesterday ahead of the league restart at Vallecas, where he is increasingly likely to act between the midfield and the front line, as Mundo Deportivo reports.