Valencia vs Almeria preview - Alves targeting Champions League

Goalkeeper Diego Alves stressed that Valencia still have the Champions League in their sights this season as they look to return to winning ways in Saturday's Primera Division match at home to Almeria.

Los Che suffered a midweek blow as they exited the Copa del Rey at the hands of Espanyol, but they are currently enjoying a five-match unbeaten run in La Liga with their last defeat coming from a 1-0 narrow loss to Barcelona at the end of November.

Valencia sit fifth in the table, just one point below Sevilla in the last Champions League spot and the Brasil international is confident they can finish in the top four at the end of the season.

Ahead of their match with Almeria at the Mestalla, as they aim to bounce back from their cup elimination, Alves told his club's official website, valenciacf.com: "There is no excuse not to get into the Champions League.

"We are going to continue united on our march towards this aim. The squad know what we have ahead of us.

"The positive factor is that we have confidence and will draw on it - starting this Saturday against Almeria."

He added: "We are the same team who beat Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. We are also the same team who lost against Espanyol.

"In football, things go by quickly. Obviously we failed in the cup. When you are excited about something and this happens, then people are going to be disappointed.

"We understand this, but we also know the importance of the fans for the main objective this season: Getting back into the Champions League."

Argentina midfielder Enzo Perez has recovered from a bout of laryngitis as he made his return to training on Friday and may feature for Nuno's side.

Almeria currently sit just one spot above the relegation zone but their form has picked up slightly - since a nine-match winless run saw them drop into danger - as they have since recorded two wins from their last three La Liga games.

Coach Juan Ignacio Martinez told the club's official Twitter account: "We are aware of the potential of Valencia. The idea as a team is to neutralise their game and find weaknesses."

The visitors will be without defender Michel, who is suffering with a strong bout of flu, while 19-year-old Spanish forward Dani Romera, who has made three Copa del Rey appearances for the club this season, has been called up to the squad.