César sits out Basel test

Friendly injury
The Spanish international centre-back suffered the injury during the first half of his country's 3-1 friendly victory against Germany in Mallorca on Wednesday, and was substituted by Real Madrid CF's Iván Helguera. Coach Javier Irureta, who has been without several key defenders already this season, is likely to use either Donato Gama or Jorge Andrade as a replacement for César.

Defensive regular
The 25-year-old former Real Oviedo player has been a regular at the heart of the Deportivo defence this term, making 16 Primera División appearances. He has also featured in five of the Galician club's Champions League games, scoring the third goal in the 3-1 home win against French club RC Lens on Matchday 3.

Third spot
The club are hopeful that César, who will also miss his side's league matches against Valladolid CF and Deportivo Alavés, will return in time for the remaining Champions League second group stage games against Juventus FC and Manchester United FC. Deportivo, who take on Basel in back-to-back matches on 19 and 25 February, are third in Group D with just one point from their first two outings, three behind Juventus and a further two adrift of United.