Espanyol vs Real Sociedad preview - Canas wants more for Espanyol

Jose Canas has insisted Espanyol are not prepared to settle for just surviving in La Liga.

The former Swansea midfielder does admit, though, that they need points to ease any pressure ahead of the international break.

Espanyol have won once in their first six games - the same as Sunday's visitors Real Sociedad - and Canas wants more ahead of the showdown.

"The game is equally as important as Cordoba last week," he told the club's official site. "If we can win three points we can be more relaxed.

"As players and professionals, we all want progress. I don't think anybody on this team would settle for staying up and finishing 15th. The immediate goal is survival but from there we must aspire to more and give the joy the fans deserve. "

And Sociedad defender Mikel Gonzalez knows victory at the Power8 Stadium is also vital for his side after their own stuttering start.

Jagoba Arrasate's men shocked Real Madrid 4-2 in August and Gonzalez wants to ensure they go into the break with a cushion above the bottom four.

"In our last few games, we have had to react after going a goal down. It's not healthy for any team to be forced to come back into the game after conceding so often," he told a press conference.

"Wherever we play, we are bound to create chances, and if we start putting those chances away, that will give us confidence and the results and points will follow.

"It's possible to take points from any ground. Espanyol have changed coach and brought in a few new players.

"I'm expecting to face a similar side to the one we met last season - Espanyol might not be a side who constantly put you under pressure but they are very effective.

"Last season we won there and the season before that we drew. They are a very consistent and strong team and in our last two meetings with them we did fall behind on both occasions (before winning 2-1)."