Ernesto Valverde has revealed that Yeray Alvarez is already working on his Athletic Bilbao return after the defender’s successful cancer surgery.
AS reports Yeray could be back for Athletic as soon as early February, remarkably less than two months since the 21-year-old was diagnosed with testicular cancer and needed an operation to remove a tumour.
“Yeray is great news for us, but above all for him,” the Coach said at a Press conference ahead of Saturday’s trip to Leganes in La Liga.
“He’s gradually integrating himself [back into the side] and our idea is for him to regain normality as soon as possible. The scare has passed and now our fingers are crossed.
“Leganes? They always play in an orderly fashion and are solid. They started the season well but haven’t been as good lately, although they have suffered some significant injuries and have had to change the way they play.
“It seems to me that they’ve always had that enthusiasm of a newly-promoted team and confidence of not just sitting back defending and always trying to propose something [in attack].
“The competition is tough and when you go forward, you tend to protect yourself. We must adopt the idea that the game will be difficult.”
