Maguette Gueye gives Racing a scare ahead of Malaga

Real Racing Club Santander

30

Maguette Gueye
540.000€-

J11

4

J10

-

J9

3

J8

-

J7

MD

01

The absence of the Senegalese midfielder comes at a difficult time for Jose Alberto Lopez, who has already lost several players to physical problems. The coach is waiting on Maguette's progress, having improved his performances in recent weeks and been gaining a bigger role in the team.

The player had to leave Wednesday's training session at El Sardinero after feeling a twinge in the back of his right thigh during a move. After putting his hand to the affected area and speaking to the medical staff, he decided to head back to the dressing room.

The early signs are not positive. Maguette also missed Thursday's session, held on the Santi Gutierrez Calle pitch at the Nando Yosu training complex. With just over 48 hours left before the trip to La Rosaleda, his presence against Funes' Malaga is up in the air, although the extent of the discomfort has not yet been confirmed.

The possible absence of the Senegalese midfielder would add to an injury list that already includes two major names. Alvaro Mantilla has torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, an injury confirmed at the start of the week, while Andres Martin suffered a muscle tear in the hamstrings of his left thigh, which was reported on Tuesday.

Maguette was growing in influence and Racing turn to the B team

The setback comes at a time when the midfielder was offering a convincing version of himself. Known as 'Magui' among his team-mates, he was one of the standout players in the Copa del Rey tie against Ribadesella and also made the most of the minutes Jose Alberto gave him in the closing stages of the match against Espanyol.

His performances in training had also been positive. His physicality, intensity and energy could offer alternatives in a midfield where Matteo Prati and Ivan Martin do not stand out especially for their defensive qualities.

In the face of the growing number of physical problems, the coaching staff have called on several members of Rayo Cantabria to help complete first-team training sessions.

Laro Gomez, Andres Vallecillo, Hugo Perez and Jorge Castellanos are working under Jose Alberto Lopez. One of these players could be included in the squad for the fixture against Malaga.