Ruben Castro says he is not yet 100 per cent but that returning for Real Betis in the derby with Sevilla would be ‘perfect timing’.
Los Beticos have been without their star striker since the first few weeks of the season due to back issues caused by sciatica and a thigh injury which required surgery.
Back in training now, the 32-year-old is eyeing a return for La Liga’s bottom side in Sunday’s trip to cross-town rivals Sevilla.
“I’m not yet 100 per cent, but I can endure,” Castro has enthused to reporters this week.
“During the past two weeks I have been training with the team and feeling pretty good. The one who has to make the decision is the Coach.
“These days I am not feeling any discomfort. I’m not 100 per cent, but what hurt me at first does not hurt now.
“I notice on the street that people want me to play and I do more than anyone. This is a good day in which to return and I hope that we can win.
“It is better to forget the derby last year [a 5-1 defeat at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan]. It was the only bad day last year. We also learned from it.
“We have to win this for the situation that we are in. This is a good game for us to pick up the three points and to start our season.
“Favourite? It does not matter if one is higher than the other in the table. These are different games, worth more than three points. Our goal is to win it as it is.
“We are not used to being bottom of the League. Since I have been here we haven’t been. People are affected, but we have time to turn it around.
“It all starts with a win on Sunday. It would be an extra motivation.
“We must go out and fight with the opponent and above all we have to be focused on avoiding the mistakes we made last year.
“We must try to get ahead in the score and remain focused and with an attitude to pick up the three points.”
