No regrets for Kone

Posted Saturday, December 10, 2011 by PA

On-loan Levante striker Arouna Kone has no regrets from his four years at Sevilla and would welcome a return to his parent club at the end of the season.

The Ivorian scored just one Primera Division goal during his time with the Andalusian club, but has been in great form since joining Levante on loan at the start of the campaign with five goals in 13 matches.

He told Palabra de Futbol: "I can't say a bad word about Sevilla. It was like a home for me. I didn't get the opportunity to play due to the managers' decisions but there was never any problem with the club - they treated me well."

Kone's contract with Sevilla is up at the end of the season but he still believes he could return if he continues his current form.

"We will see at the end of the season if Sevilla want to sign me," he said. "It will all depend on their decision, but it would be great if they did."

Kone is free to play against Sevilla on Saturday as there is no restriction on his involvement in the loan deal, and coach Juan Ignacio Martinez can also welcome back Jose Barkero and Juanlu from suspension.

Sevilla made it back-to-back wins for the first time this term with a 3-0 victory over Getafe on Monday, and coach Marcelino Garcia Toral is looking to build on that performance.

He told the club's website: "We have a good dynamic at the moment and I hope it is not two but three consecutive victories.

"It will be a tremendously difficult match because it is an opponent that is ahead of us in the table and showing a great consistency at home, where they have won all their matches except for against Valencia.

"We will go there with ambition, excitement and most of all to win, because if we do so we will move into fourth."

Diego Perotti suffered a hamstring injury against Getafe and will miss out. His place looks set to go to either Frederic Kanoute or Manu del Moral, both of whom scored after coming on as substitutes on Monday.