Real Sociedad boss Imanol provides Mikel Oyarzabal injury update before Real Madrid | OneFootball

Real Sociedad head coach Imanol has on Friday provided an update on the wellbeing of star attacker Mikel Oyarzabal.

Frontman Oyarzabal, for his part, set alarm bells ringing back in San Sebastian late last week.

After being forced into a premature departure from the Spanish national team camp owing to a fitness concern, it was subsequently revealed that the Euro 2024 hero was dealing with a ‘serious sprain to his left ankle’.

The widespread assumption, in turn, was that Oyarzabal was set to be ruled out of Sociedad’s post-international break return to action.

La Real are currently in the final stage of preparations for a La Liga meeting with reigning champions Real Madrid on Saturday night.

Speaking to the media on Friday, the subject of his side’s attacking talisman’s wellbeing was in turn put to the aforementioned Imanol.

And, in something of a surprise, Sociedad’s headmaster went on to confirm that, though Oyarzabal is still suffering with pain in his ankle, ‘he is ready to help’ against Real Madrid:

“If he is in the squad it means that he is fine and available. His recovery and evolution has been good. His ankle is sore, yes, but you have seen him and he is ready to play. I have not taken him out of training at all, he is completely normal. When we all saw him come out on a stretcher we feared the worst but he has evolved well. He is Mikel and you all know how important he is for me and for the team. He will not be 100% because his ankle is hurt but he will be able to help, lend a hand.”

Conor Laird | GSFN