Vicente injury vexes Valencia

Worrying wait
Vicente picked up the injury to his left ankle towards the end of the 2-1 defeat at Werder Bremen on 29 September. He was initially expected to return to action within a fortnight, but four weeks later the pain and inflammation remain.

Specialist advice
The 23-year-old Spanish international visited Barcelona on Monday to seek the advice of specialist Ramón Viladot. After a series of tests, including an MRI scan, doctors ruled out the possibility of a fracture, but did detect continued inflammation in the area.

Prize player
Vicente has been a key figure for coach Claudio Ranieri this season and the team have suffered three defeats in his absence, including the 5-1 home loss to Inter on Matchday 3. That result left the Spanish champions in third place in the group, with three points from three matches, ahead of the trip to Milan on 2 November.

Butelle recovery
Better news for Valencia is that third-choice goalkeeper Ludovic Butelle should return to fitness within the next two weeks after recovering from a ruptured spleen.