Luis Rioja tests himself vs Athletic after a heel injury

Valencia are hopeful about the return of Luis Rioja after a complex injury to the heel area (calcaneus) and plantar fat, which has kept him out of several matches. The Sevilla winger trained with the group on Wednesday at Paterna’s Ciudad Deportiva, although he couldn’t finish the session, and the club expects he could make the squad for Saturday’s home match against Athletic Club at Mestalla.

Alongside Rioja, Hugo Duro and José Copete were also on the pitch with the team. Duro had overcome a knock that left him feeling unwell after last Sunday’s game at El Sardinero, and after treatment on Tuesday, he trained normally on Wednesday. Copete, out for months with a meniscus injury in his left knee, also worked with the group again after missing the most recent matchday squad.