Mallorca vs Espanyol preview - Castro charged for Espanyol clash

Chori Castro and his Real Mallorca team-mates are champing at the bit to get their Primera Division campaign under way against Espanyol on Sunday.

Mallorca were due to begin their season at Rayo Vallecano last weekend but the strike which affected the league meant the players were kept waiting.

Uruguayan winger Castro was delighted when the issues were finally sorted this week and the players could prepare for a belated curtain-raiser.

"We waited expectantly after these latest meetings hoping for a solution and, without doubt, to be able to start the season," he told his club's website.

"It was long the pre-season but it's good for our fitness, and now we have a very long season and hopefully we can start well and finish better."

Mallorca survived by the skin of their teeth on the final day of last season, finishing 17th and above the drop zone by a point after an epic relegation scrap.

With a more frugal approach being taken following the financial excesses which saw them qualify for - and subsequently disqualified from - the Europa League, improvements to the squad have not been of a high-profile nature.

Israel striker Tomer Hemed has come in to replace last season's top scorer Pierre Webo, while there is some excitement about the arrival of Alejandro Alfaro from Sevilla.

Espanyol's summer was as much about holding onto people as it was about bringing them in, and to that end they suffered a major blow this week when striker Pablo Osvaldo was sold to Roma.

But sporting director Ramon Planes has told fans to keep the faith.

"It's not good news from a sporting perspective," he told the club's website. "(But) trust in the squad and the magnificent work of the coaching staff.

"We have overcome difficulties before and we'll continue to rely on what we have."

As for the club's attempts to sign a new striker, he added: "In the Spanish league, five other teams are doing the same.

"Many of us are looking for the treasure.

"My message is one of total and absolute confidence in the squad we have."