Adebayor eyes Real debut at Osasuna
Reuters - Friday 28 January 2011, 12:13
MADRID - Real Madrid presented new loan signing Emmanuel Adebayor
on Thursday and he trained with his new team mates for the first
time on Friday. They are away to Osasuna on Sunday.
"I have no idea where Pamplona is (where Osasuna are based),
but they have told me it will be difficult to win there. I hope
to play," the Togolese told radio station Cadena Ser late on
Thursday.
"My first conversation with Jose Mourinho was positive...but
we haven't gone into details yet (about his role)."
La Liga leaders Barcelona could have full back Dani Alves
back in time for the trip to Hercules on Saturday. The
Brazil international is training again after a torn muscle.
Captain Carles Puyol and winger Jeffren are doubts for the
match against the only team to have beaten them in the league
this season.
Third-placed Villarreal travel to play fifth-placed
Espanyol on Sunday boosted by the return to training of
Brazil striker Nilmar after knee surgery.
"I'm feeling much better. It's a little early to return this
weekend because I still need to do more work. I'll be in a
better state to help next week," he told reporters.
Fourth-placed Valencia are away to Racing Santander on
Monday and have a doubt over winger Juan Mata who has an
ankle knock. They have just signed Brazilian striker Jonas
Goncalves from Gremio on a four-and-a-half year contract.
Athletic Bilbao, who climbed above misfiring Atletico
Madrid up to sixth and the European places last week, can
strengthen their position with a win at the Calderon on Sunday.
Atletico gave their backing to coach Quique Sanchez Flores
during the week after a poor run. They expect to have Sergio
Aguero and Jose Antonio Reyes back from injury.
Atletico goalkeeper David de Gea has dismissed reports
linking him with Manchester United after Edwin van der Sar said
he would retire at the end of the season.
"Van der Sar has set the standard for an era. He has played
at the top level for many years and I imagine they will sign a
replacement," the 20-year-old told reporters.
"On a personal level I'm very happy at Atletico and I will
try to stay for many years."
Sevilla, eighth, visit Deportivo Coruna on Saturday with one eye on next week's King's Cup semi-final second leg
away to Real Madrid where they need to overturn a 1-0 deficit.
They will be without the injured Ndri Romaric and Sergio
Sanchez and suspended Frederick Kanoute. The club are in the
process of signing Chile midfielder Gary Medel from Boca Juniors
and Croatia midfielder Ivan Rakitic from Schalke 04.