Athletic Club manager Ernesto Valverde has given reasons for optimism with the Copa del Rey final on the horizon

Athletic Club are enjoying an excellent season so far, with the Basque side sitting in fourth place and awaiting a Copa del Rey final a week on Saturday against Real Mallorca. On Wednesday, Ernesto Valverde gave two more reasons to smile.

As things stand, Valverde will have a full squad to choose from before the final. Los Leones trained on Wednesday with left back Yuri Berchiche and Ander Herrera recovering from their muscle problems. They were the last two players missing, and MD they say they completed the training as normal.

Athletic Club They face Real Madrid this weekend, and many will wonder what strength of squad Valverde will field for that clash, knowing his players are only six days away. Copa del Rey final If he wasn't so firmly in the race for the top four, it would be a less difficult choice, but Valverde could be ten games away from an unprecedented season in the last four decades.