Villarreal vs Racing de Santander preview - Cervera waits for green light after heart scare

Racing Santander boss Alvaro Cervera will on Saturday learn whether he will be able to take charge of his side at Villarreal after suffering a heart scare.

The 46-year-old former Racing winger spent the night in hospital, where he was admitted as a precaution after feeling unwell during a training session on Friday.

Cervera, who has been in charge of the Primera Liga's rock-bottom side for just over a month, reportedly underwent a series of tests, none of which showed anything serious following the tachycardia.

Assistants Fede Castanos and Pablo Pinillos look set to take charge for Sunday's crucial match at El Madrigal if Cervera is unavailable.

Racing somehow need to end their 14-match winless run - six of them under Cervera - if they are to stand any real chance of the greatest of relegation escape acts.

In what is a proverbial six-pointer against fourth-bottom Villarreal, victory would move them within seven points of their opponents, while even a draw would leave them 11 adrift with only five matches remaining.

Villarreal took a huge stride towards preserving their own Liga status on Thursday when they scored twice in the last seven minutes - the winner coming deep into stoppage-time to stun Champions League-chasing Malaga 2-1.

That lifted them seven points clear of the drop zone and they will edge ever closer to safety if they record back-to-back victories for only the second time this season.

Goalkeeper Diego Lopez was taking nothing for granted, with Villarreal having already been on the end of some shock results this term, including in the reverse fixture against Racing.

"Seeing the situation where they are and where we are, we have to win at all costs," he said.

"We have a lot of respect for our opponents, but this is our key match.

"Sunday is a vital game, a final. Win it and we are not saved, but we would be much more comfortable."