Rayo Vallecano vs Sporting de Gijon preview - Casado: Gijon clash most important this term

Rayo Vallecano defender Jose Manuel Casado has stressed the importance of getting back to winning ways before the winter break after three consecutive defeats.

The promoted side sat comfortably in the top half of the Primera Division table only a couple of weeks ago, but a testing run of fixtures against Valencia, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid has seen them fall back towards the pack chasing survival.

Speaking ahead of the visit of Sporting Gijon, he told AS: "The only side that has been better than us was Barcelona. We know that small differences make the difference between taking points and not, but the team has competed well.

"Valencia escaped with the three points when they were here and if Atletico had anything more it was just their ability in front of goal.

"The match against Sporting is possibly the most important of the season so far because we have lost three in a row, but if we win it will allow us to go into the break more relaxed."

Javi Fuego and Jordi Figueras are suspended for the hosts, whilst Lass Bangoura may miss the match as he had to fly back to his native Guinea to sort out a problem with his visa this week.

Sporting were the latest side to suffer at the hands of Real Madrid last weekend, the 3-0 defeat leaving them still marooned in the bottom three.

However, coach Manuel Preciado has been pleased by his players' performances in recent weeks and knows his side cannot afford to lose against a potential rival in the fight for survival.

He told the club's website: "It is true that we haven't put points on the board in recent matches, but we have played against teams near the top of the table and still presented a good image of ourselves.

"I give a lot of importance to a game against Rayo - the most of any game we have remaining in the first half of the season - because if we lose we sacrifice a considerable advantage, but win and we are right there with them."

Preciado will be without midfielders Nacho Cases and Sebastian Eguren through injury and suspension respectively, so Alberto Rivera and Andre Castro will return to the side. Alberto Lora is also injured so Damian Suarez will continue at right-back.