Real Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini has named his 23-man travelling squad for Thursday’s Europa League last-16 first leg against Manchester United.
The Spanish club announced their group on Tuesday evening via Twitter and the headline news is perhaps the inclusion of Sergio Canales.
The 31-year-old midfielder missed Real Betis’s two previous matches in La Liga: the thrilling 3-2 win over Elche and Sunday’s impressive 0-0 draw against Real Madrid.
Canales’s inclusion in the squad suggests the creative Spaniard will be fit for Thursday’s European game at the Theatre of Dreams.
Take a look at their travelling squad below:
AN INJURY BOOST
The apparent return of Canales is particularly significant for Pellegrini because he is already missing a star player in Nabil Fekir, who was recently ruled out for the season with a serious knee injury.
Real Betis released a statement on their official channels confirming the player suffered a hyperextension of his left knee in the win over Elche.
Tests revealed he has an anterior cruciate ligament injury that required surgery and, of course, we wish the Frenchman well in his recovery.
REAL BETIS TRAVELLING SQUAD
Bravo, Rui Silva, Dani MartĆn, Sabaly, Edgar, Victor Ruiz, Pezzella, Luiz Felipe, Abner, Miranda, Guido RodrĆguez, William Carvalho, Guardado, Canales, Luiz Henrique, JoaquĆn, Aitor Ruibal, Rodri, Juanmi, Dani Perez, Borja Iglesias, Willian Jose, Ayoze.
WEDNESDAYāS EVENTS
Opponents from Spain are expected to fly to Manchester on Wednesday afternoon.
Upon arrival in M16, former Man City boss Pellegrini will hold a press conference at Old Trafford from 18:15 GMT. He will also be joined by a member of his squad.
Los Verdiblancos will then train at the Theatre of Dreams and, like our session, the pre-match workout will be filmed by the press for 15 minutes.Ā
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