Mathieu remains a back up

Miroslav Djukic looks set to leave Jeremy Mathieu on the bench for Valencia’s next match, following on from the Frenchman’s outburst.

Mathieu complained after training on Tuesday of frustration at not appearing to be in the new Coach’s first team plans.

Explaining that it was said in frustration at not featuring in a provisional first XI for a practice match that day, the defender has since apologised.

However, Wednesday’s session has indicated that Valencia will likely only make two changes for Week 2’s trip to Espanyol and that Mathieu will only settle for a place on the bench.

In the latest workout, Djukic appeared to divide the group into provisional first and second choice XIs, with the only changes from the side that played Malaga being Jonas and Sophiane Feghouli coming in in place of Fede Cartabia and Jonathan Viera.

Ricardo Costa and Adil Rami look set to remain ahead of Mathieu at centre-back, whilst Juan Bernat will stick at left-back.