Javi Hernández returns to Manolo González’s group

Javi Hernández has rejoined Manolo González’s training group. The defender is now available to Espanyol’s coach ahead of Friday’s 9 p.m. trip to La Rosaleda to face Málaga, bottom of LaLiga EA Sports. Images released by Espanyol from Wednesday morning’s session show him back with his teammates.

Hernández had been released from Spain’s under-21 squad because of a minor muscle injury to the obturator muscle in his left leg. His return is welcome news ahead of the match. With him back in group training, Roberto Fernández and Vanja Drkusic are the only internationals still away. They are expected back at Ciudad Deportiva Dani Jarque on Thursday; Roberto Fernández is with Spain and Vanja Drkusic with Slovenia.

Javi Puado, meanwhile, continues his recovery and is getting closer to a return after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee last January. The captain is described as Espanyol’s best reinforcement for the final stretch of 2027, when Manolo should also have Kike García back.