David Silva, Albelda, Baraja Absent From Valencia Training

Unai Emery’s bid to begin serious work in turning Valencia’s season around didn’t quite go to plan on Monday as he had to make do without seven first-team players.

Renan, Miguel Angel Angulo, David Albelda, David Silva and Hedwiges Madurdo all failed to show up on the training ground because of injury, while Ruben Baraja and Tiago Carleto did not even turn up at the sports centre due to personal reasons.

Brazilian goalkeeper Renan continues rehabilitation work on his torn thigh muscle, while the midfield trio of Albelda, Silva and Maduro were sent the treatment room with knocks picked up during Sunday evening’s 2-1 home reverse to Real Valladolid.

In addition, the other key figures in the team who started in the match against Valladolid - Cesar, Juan Mata, Fernando Morientes, Emiliano Moretti, Raul Albiol, Marchena and Joaquin - all barely trained as they focused instead on recovery work.

Coach Emery had to call up nine players from the reserve and youth teams to fill the void for a ten-a-side training match.

Los Che have now won just once in their last eight Primera Division outings and have slumped all the way down to sixth spot in the table. Emery had vowed to step up their work schedule on Monday in an attempt to put an end to their woeful run, but he has now been forced to cancel Tuesday’s training session instead.

KS Leong, Goal.com