Real Sociedad vs Celta Vigo preview - We can cope without Vela: Moyes

David Moyes insisted Real Sociedad were not a one-man team as they prepared for Saturday's Primera Division visit of Celta Vigo facing up to the prospect of two months without star forward Carlos Vela.

The 25-year-old Mexico international picked up a right knee injury in a 4-1 loss to Real Madrid last Saturday and underwent surgery on Monday to trim the internal meniscus.

Vela has scored eight goals in 21 appearances for Sociedad this term, but Moyes played down the significance of his lengthy absence as the Basques aimed to return to winning ways after suffering their third loss of the Scot's reign at the Bernabeu.

"The most important players are the players who are fit," Moyes said at his pre-match press conference, streamed on the club's website. "We all have to give confidence to them and give them belief.

"Of course Carlos Vela is a massively important player, but I hope you're not going to talk about it all the time because we have to move on.

"Carlos Vela will be back hopefully very quickly, but maybe six weeks - then you can start talking about Carlos Vela again.

"We've played some games already without Carlos Vela through injury. It's normal that players get injured during the season. Injuries are very much part of football. It can happen at any time.

"We've got a lot of faith in the players. It will give them opportunities to show what they can do. I don't believe that Real Sociedad is a one-man team."

The Royals head into the weekend in 13th spot in the standings, and knowing victory would lift them a point above their visitors.

"Celta started the season very well and have maybe just dropped away little bit," Moyes added.

"I've watched Celta on the tapes, the scouts have given me reports - they defend man to man all over, defensively and midfield. It's something not normal - slightly different tactics than you would see in most games - so it's something we need to be aware of."

Celta coach Eduardo Berizzo will serve the first of a two-game touchline ban imposed after he was sent off for disputing - albeit successfully - a late penalty decision against his team during last weekend's 1-0 home win over Cordoba.

Captain Borja Oubina misses the trip to the Anoeta through injury, along with fellow midfielders Fabian Orellana and Nemanja Radoja and defender Hugo Mallo.