Espanyol - Granada CF preview - Canas: Plenty still to play for

Espanyol midfielder Jose Canas believes it is too early in the season to call Sunday's match with Granada "a final".

The Catalans have won just one of their last seven league games and are just four points from the relegation zone - but Canas is not yet overly concerned about the team's future in the top flight.

"We aren't in week 35 of the season so we can't be talking about finals, we have to take everything a bit more calmly," the midfielder told a press conference, quoted by Marca.

"But of course it's an important game, just like any other, because three more points are at stake."

Granada are two points below Espanyol and are on an even worse run of form - Joaquin Caparros' side are without a success since 20 September.

However, Canas added: "Every game will be difficult.

"It will be a similar game to the one we had against Levante (Espanyol's last home game, which they won 2-1) and we all know how aggressive and tough Joaquin Caparros' sides are."

The midfielder also insisted his side have been playing well in recent weeks, even though they were thrashed 5-1 by Barcelona last weekend, despite taking the lead at the Nou Camp.

"The team is doing well and on a good dynamic. We had an incredible first half at the Nou Camp and every day we are feeling positive."

Granada striker Isaac Success' late equaliser gave Caparros' side a point against Valencia last weekend, and club president Quique Pina gave the coach a vote of confidence ahead of Sunday's match.

"It makes no sense to talk about (the future of) Caparros, he has all my faith, and that's why we gave him a two-year contract," he told a press conference, quoted in Marca.

"Neither he nor I are satisfied with 12 points, we would be much happier with 16 or 17 points, which is the amount of points we should have.

"But it's not fair to focus just on Caparros - he also depends on the players, who should take the most responsibility."

Pina also said he would back his coach in the transfer market in January.

"We have always used the January transfer window and we'll do that again because the team lacks a few players," he added.

Espanyol have no injury concerns for the match, but Granada will be without full-back Dimitri Foulquier through suspension, and Ruben Rochina, Darwin Machis and Riki remain injured.