Real Oviedo Head Coach Cuco Ziganda appeared in the Press Room at El Requexón ahead of a new day of training for the first-team squad.

Los Azules are continuing training in preparation for Friday's match against SD Ponferradina. Asked about the absentees which are conditioning the working week and the match planning, the Coach admitted that "obviously they have an impact. Some of them have been playing regularly and having them out limits us, but it is going to open a door for other players. We will decide. It's something that we have to live with and we have to adapt to it."

Regarding the possibility of a starting place for one of the many B team players who have been training with the first team this week, the Real Oviedo Coach still hasn't decided. "We will see how it goes. The Vetusta lads are a step away from the first team and it's a possibility that we could use them. If they are in the B team then it means they have quality. If we have to use them then they will give everything, as if it were the Champions League final."

With respect to whether the absences could force him into using one formation or another, Ziganda admitted that "having players out affects the system. We will adapt to one formation or another according to the players that we have available."

With all three first-team strikers out, the Coach was asked what he thinks about a youth-team forward leading the line. "We know Javi Cueto and I was looking forward to seeing Mario Fuente. They are training with us and you can see they have good movement. Cueto is a focal point and a finisher. They are both very hungry and excited to train with the first team."

Asked about the difficulty of preparing for a match against an opponent with players out, Ziganda said that "it's not complicated. You can work out the team they may have, and they have a recognisable eleven. La Ponfe are having a spectacular year, in good form, taking steps forward, and they deserve tremendous credit. They are doing things well, and that's where the good results come from. They have clear ideas and serious aspirations to be up there."

In addition, asked whether he believes it would be more appropriate to postpone the matchday given the number of cases around the league, the Gaffer wasn't sure of the most adequate response. "I don't know. I'm not an expert but perhaps normality is living with the virus. We have to trust the people who understand what we are living through. If they tell us that we have to live with it, now that it seems that is not as serious, then we have to live with it. The ideal thing would be for the same rules to be applied to everyone. If not then variables come in which are not good for anyone. We have to be comprehensive and adapt to the situation, but it needs to be the same for everyone."

Finally, asked about Alejandro Arribas' departure, Ziganda admitted his surprise given that "it all happened very quickly. Everybody has the door open to them in January. Alejandro weighed up the offers he had and decided that it was the best thing for him. He's a great loss to the team because he was a reference point, an important person, and highly respected in the changing room."