Elche CF prepared for the upcoming meeting with a focused session this Tuesday as the team geared up for a Saturday 18:30 kickoff against Mallorca. Training at the Martínez Valero stadium emphasized recovery for the players, while others from the Juan Angel Romero sports city moved to the Díez Iborra field to work more intensely and shift attention away from the recent setback against Betis.
Randy Nteka was left out of the squad due to an illness and a previous injury in the Betis match. He has since resumed normal training, and it is expected that Machín will have no issues naming him available for selection.
The same applies to Jose Angel Carmona, who missed the Betis game through suspension. He took advantage of last week’s layoff to reduce his workload and push through the mild discomfort he has been carrying, with hopes of full fitness soon.
Álex Collado and John Chetauya continue to train apart from the main group, carrying out individualized sessions with the medical staff supporting their return. The timeline for their return remains uncertain, but Elche’s management indicates a return to full training at team pace could occur in about two weeks, followed by a period of preparation before competitive action resumes.
Pere Milla did not join the squad for yesterday’s session. The Catalan striker remains under a rehabilitation plan devised by doctors Mariano De Prado and Pedro Luis Ripoll after left collarbone surgery on February 8. Recovery progress is being monitored closely to ensure a safe and steady return to competition.
De Prado: ‘You have to be cautious because of Pere Milla’s injury’
He continues to be the franchise’s top scorer in training exercises, using a stationary bike to minimize muscle wasting in the lower extremities. The aim is a calm, controlled recovery, avoiding any risk of re-injury should a fall occur during activities or matches.
Collado, John Chetauya, and Pere Milla are expected to miss the upcoming match in Son Moix. Nteka and Carmona are more likely to feature, but their inclusion will depend on ongoing assessments. Magellan and Roco are also in the mix, though final decisions hinge on the Competition Committee’s ruling on Elche’s appeal slated for Wednesday. The Mallorca trip hinges on whether the committee endorses the club’s request for sanctions relief or adjustment.