Celta Vigo vs Valladolid preview - Toni seeks Celta chance

Posted Sunday, January 06, 2013 by PA

Celta Vigo winger Toni has claimed he will look to move elsewhere if he is not given more opportunities in the first team for the remainder of the season.

The 22-year-old has yet to start a league game this campaign, but has made nine appearances as a substitute and does not believe the club's plans to look for more attacking players in the January window is necessarily the best idea.

Speaking ahead of Sunday's home clash against Valladolid, he told Marca: "What I want is to play because that is the only way to continue growing.

"I want to feel like an important player and I would like to do that here because I feel comfortable at Celta, but if some day they say to me it is not to be here then I will look for another team.

"If they do (look for more attacking players) I suppose it is because they believe it is necessary, although personally I think that there are very good players here. It is not easy to bring players that are better than what we already have here."

Toni may finally be handed a start this weekend as Augusto Fernandez is suspended. Samuel also remains on the sidelines with a knee injury, but otherwise the Galicians are a full strength.

In contrast Valladolid will be missing arguably their three most influential players so far this season as Patrick Ebert is injured, Oscar Gonzalez is suspended and Manucho has flown out to take part in Angola's preparations for the African Nations Cup.

Nevertheless, manager Miroslav Djukic has urged his players not to be distracted or let their intensity drop after the two week break for Christmas and New Year.

He told Marca: "The holidays and congratulations have finished. It is all very nice but now reality returns, there are a lot of games in the league left and we cannot be distracted.

"They are a direct rival for us. Celta are a good team that also like to have the ball and count on quick players up front. I expect it to be a competitive and hard match, we need to be intense and very good in the defensive aspect."

Swedish winger Daniel Larsson is expected to make his debut for the visitors in the absence of Ebert, whilst Javi Guerra will deputise for Manucho over the coming weeks.