Although there were four players officially unavailable due to sanctions or injury—Gonzalo Verdu with a sanction, Shepherd, Fidel Fernandez and Omar Mascarell sidelined by injuries—the Elche CF manager, Francisco, will not call up additional players from the reserve team for Monday’s meeting against Vallecano Beam. The plan is to keep the squad stable and focused on the competitive rhythm already established, without changing the core group at the last moment.
During the week, two Ilicitano players were at the center of attention. Javier Pamies and midfielder Paul Molina trained with the first team on a couple of occasions, showcasing their readiness. Despite that, the Franchiverde coach decided not to include them in the official roster unless an unexpected setback forces a late adjustment. Pamies and Molina will instead line up for the subsidiary in their match against Athletic Club Torrellano at the Isabel Fernández sports center today, Sunday, at 11:30, in the regional city derby within the Third RFEF hierarchy.
Peter Bigas completed his second consecutive training session with the group this Saturday and demonstrated solid responsiveness. Consequently, he is penciled in to be part of the squad list and prepared to contribute on match day.
The same assessment applies to Argentine defender Fede Fernandez, who had a minor issue earlier in the week. The twin concerns around his teammates were quickly resolved, and with a bit of rest, the players have returned to normal training from Wednesday onward. Catalan forward Peter Milla also faced ankle discomfort but has since recovered and resumed regular training without any long-term impact.
Only domestic players arriving for the call are John Chetauya, who remains listed as a first-team member despite having an additional file, and Jesús López, who holds the role of the team’s third goalkeeper. This keeps the core group cohesive while allowing flexibility for strategic rotation in the competition calendar.
Francisco has nineteen outfield players plus three goalkeepers: Edgar Badia, Axel Werner, and Jesús López, who are set to depart for Madrid on Monday morning. The intention is to have a concentrated squad ready to cover all positions and respond to the demands of the midweek schedule and possible injuries or suspensions.
Elche’s coaching staff has aligned the preferred lineup with Helibelton Palacios and Pol Lirola as the primary right backs, while Carlos Clerc and Nico Fernández Mercau contend for the left-back slot. The defense pivots around a central trio where up to five players could be considered depending on form and tactics. With both Fede Fernández and Pedro Bigas regaining fitness, the balance in central defense will be carefully managed, and Enzo Rocobo, Diego Gonzalez, and John Chetauya will be ready to step in if necessary.
In midfield, the options include Gerard Gumbau, Raul Guti, Quina Markets, and Alex Collado. The coach is known to mix different combinations, particularly when facing diverse opponents, so it would not be unusual to see various midfield pairings showing up in training and upcoming matches. The squad depth in this area provides flexibility to press and control the tempo when required.
In attack, the front line features Lucas Boy, Eze Ponce, and Roger Martí as the primary options. This trio offers a blend of speed, movement, and goal threat, supported by playmakers from the midfield who can deliver precise through balls and create scoring chances under pressure. The forward line will be tasked with translating territorial advantage into decisive finishes in the upcoming fixtures.
On the eve of the trip, the 22 players expected to board the AVE train bound for Madrid reflect a balanced mix of experience and youth. The Elche expedition will depart early in the morning, aiming to arrive with ample time to prepare. While Francisco could have summoned additional youth players to round out the group, the decision to keep the roster compact aligns with the coaching staff’s emphasis on consistency and resource management as the season progresses.