Mallorca vs Osasuna preview - Flores seeks home comforts

Real Mallorca defender Chico Flores has underlined the importance of his side's home form in the run-in to the end of the season as they seek to preserve their top-flight status.

The Balearic Islanders are currently just four points off the relegation zone and have matches against Valencia, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona around the corner, but Chico insists they cannot look beyond hosting an Osasuna side with Europe in their sights this weekend.

He told the club's website: "It is an important moment for us because the home straight of the second part of the season is arriving and we need to take as many points at home as we can.

"We have to be strong, on Saturday we are facing an aggressive team who are clear in their way of playing. We intend to keep a clean sheet and take advantage of our opportunities to score.

"It looks like a winnable match, but it will be difficult. We can't fixate on the calendar this month, we need to go game by game, Osasuna showed what they can do when they beat Barcelona."

The hosts will be without midfielder Tomas Pina for up to three weeks with a thigh injury and Pau Cendros remains out, but Joao Victor returns from the back trouble that has kept him out in recent weeks.

Osasuna boss Jose Luis Mendilibar, meanwhile, is struggling for options is attack after Dejan Lekic broke his arm in last weekend's 2-1 win over Granada.

Injuries have also kept Kike Sola and Ibrahima Balde out of the squad that travelled to Mallorca so Nino should be given his chance to start up front.

Mendilibar however remains hopeful of picking up only the Navarran side's second win away from home all season.

He told the club's website: "We haven't won away for a long time but eventually one day it will happen. We have never cried about our injuries and those who haven't played so regularly are ready to play.

"I don't know if we will win or compete better, but it won't be down to the players that aren't here. This year we have played with a number of strikers.

"There are players that are training well and can't get into the team because there is a lot of competition for these slots."

Captain Patxi Punal is also suspended after his red card against Granada so David Timor is expected to return in midfield.