Celta Vigo vs Athletic Bilbao - Augusto Fernandez could sit out Celta Vigo's clash

Celta Vigo coach Eduardo Berizzo insists captain Augusto Fernandez will decide whether he feels in the right frame of mind to play against Athletic Bilbao ahead of his impending move to Atletico Madrid.

The Argentine midfielder has been instrumental in Celta's impressive season so far, helping guide the Galician club to fourth place in the Primera Division and last 16 of the Copa del Rey.

However, Fernandez is all set for a reunion with Diego Simeone at Atletico, his former manager when they won the 2008 Argentina league title with River Plate.

A formal deal for the 29-year-old, who has made more than 100 appearances for Celta since siging in August 2012, is expected to be concluded soon after the transfer window opens again on January 4, although Buenos Aires club Velez Sarsfield still also hold an interest in the player's registration.

Celta will aim for a fourth straight win on Wednesday night, with a trip to Malaga the first fixture of 2016 at the weekend, but whether or not Fernandez will be involved in either fixture remains to be seen.

A switch to the Vicente Calderon now appears a formality as Atletico look to replace Tiago Mendes, who is out with a broken leg.

"Augustus is ready for both (situations). If Augusto believes he should not play, so be it. If he thinks this is his position, I will understand and he will not play," said Berizzo, quoted in Spanish newspaper La Voz de Galicia.

Midfielder Nemanja Radoja could come back into contention, giving Berizzo another option if Fernandez is not available, although the Serbian is only just fit following a hernia operation which has sidelined him since the start of November.

No matter the off-field distractions surrounding the future of their captain, Berizzo is determined to keep the squad focussed for the challenges ahead in 2016.

"We are very excited at being in the fourth position, and we want to keep there," the Celta Vigo coach continued.

"This team has shown that despite being a small squad and also with injuries, that we have players who have done very, very well.

"We are all engaged and know that we can depend on what we are able to do."

Berizzo, whose side beat Barcelona 4-1 at home earlier in the season, added: "For us it is very important to keep filling ourselves with confidence and to continue to hold onto our position (in the table)."

Bilbao head to Balaidos in seventh place. The 2-1 loss at Atletico Madrid before Christmas was only their second defeat in 10 league matches.

Coach Ernesto Valverde believes his squad can head into 2016 with a positive mindset.

"In the league we are going up positions and we are alive in all three competitions," he said at a press conference, reported in El Desmarque.

"The positive is that since the beginning of this year the team has grown and overcame difficulties, so the prospects are good."