Real Oviedo striker, José Verdú Nicolás, “Toché”, appeared in the Press Room at El Requexón following the first team’s return to training.

After Juan Antonio Anquela’s comments last week that the striker was still not ready to play the full ninety minutes, Toché declared that, “I am feeling much better now and working as hard as possible. I feel fine physically and ready for whatever the Coach asks of me.” In addition, asked what the hardest part of his recuperation had been, the forward admitted that, “it’s hard to get used to ball work again. I’m over that stage now though, and back at 100%.”

Ahead of a new matchday in LaLiga, in which Real Oviedo will face Sporting de Gijón at the Carlos Tartiere, the Carbayón Captain highlighted that, “it is a nice week with a lot of meaning to it. The Tartiere will be full of our fans supporting us, and we want to dedicate a victory to them.” In addition, asked whether it is possible to avoid the atmosphere around the encounter, the number 9 said that, “you try to isolate yourself, but you know the feelings that are there. We are going to try to be the same team as always, give 100%, and win the match.”

With respect to whether there is a clear favourite to win the three points at the Carlos Tartiere, the attacker argued that, “there is no favourite and we are two good teams. We must keep going as we have been without losing our humility. We mustn’t get distracted.”

Asked about similarities to the match in Gijón during the first half of the season, Toché stated that, “the away game was different. We go into this one with confidence and in good form. We want the Tartiere to be a fortress, and we are going to try to make it one.”

Finally, talking about other derbies he has played in and his ability to score in this type of match, the forward stated that, “I’ve played in many derbies. I’ve been here three years and I can feel that this game is going to be special. I hope I can score and that it helps us get the win,” Toché concluded.