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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Josh McCafferty

Bilbao boss in fitness update ahead of Ibrox trip as top scorer fears addressed

Athletic Club boss Ernesto Valverde has provided an update on several of his injured stars as his side prepare to face Rangers on Thursday. 

The Basque outfit travel to Ibrox in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final, aiming to take any possible advantage back to San Mames for the return tie a week later. 

Concerns have been raised over various Athletic players going onto Thursday, especially top scorer Oihan Sancet. 


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The midfielder has netted 14 goals in all competitions this season and played the last half-hour as his side drew 0-0 with Villareal on Sunday.

It remains to be seen whether he'll feature at Ibrox: "We'll see if he plays in Glasgow or not," said boss Valverde (Record). 

"He has to get into it little by little. If not in Scotland, it will be against Rayo, but he should get into it now."

Left-back Yuri Berchiche came off injured 35 minutes into the weekend's stalemate.

Valverde said: "It's a small problem in the calf [for Berchiche], let's see if it's not enough."

Nico Williams, who starred for Spain in last summer's European Championships, should be good to go come Thursday, as Valverde provided an update on several of his other stars: "Nico Williams is fine," he said. 

"But you look at things. Some people rest more during certain periods, like the international break, but he didn't, and we have to take that into account with so many games. Aitor Paredes, we think it's just an overload and a cramp.

"We hope Ruiz de Galarreta and Yeray can come to Glasgow, but we don't know yet. I've given them tomorrow off because I have a trip in between; the important thing now is to recover above all else."

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