Espanyol captain and forward Javi Puado is one of the most anticipated 'signings' for the blue and white club after the international break, following the progress of the injury he suffered against Levante last January. His return to the pitch is shaping up as a boost for a team needing to improve its attacking output, currently sitting 15th in La Liga with seven points.

Puado tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during the match against Levante at the Ciutat de Valencia. The attacker managed just four minutes before being substituted and underwent surgery shortly after. The player had already suffered a sprain in the same knee in October 2025, though that incident did not require an operation.

An offensive reference

Puado's absence has left a void in Espanyol's attack. The captain is a key offensive reference, as he proved with his 17 goals in the 2023-24 season in the second division, adding 12 more in the 2024-25 campaign. Before his injury in January, he had already scored twice in the 2025-26 season. His goalscoring ability and leadership are assets manager Manolo González has missed.

The attacking burden this season has fallen on Roberto Fernández, who with six goals in seven appearances is the team's top scorer. However, Espanyol needs more options up front. The team has scored 10 goals in seven matchdays but has also conceded 10. The latest defeat, a 1-3 loss to Elche, highlighted these shortcomings.

Recovery context

Puado's rehabilitation is progressing as planned and the club is confident he can rejoin the group's dynamics after the international break. His return would coincide with a point in the calendar. Espanyol's next fixture is a visit to the ground of bottom-placed Málaga CF on October 9th. A match that presents an opportunity to secure three vital points and improve a run of results that reads one win, one draw, and three losses from the last five games.

The squad has had to deal with other significant absences. Striker Kike García underwent surgery on his right biceps femoris tendon in August. Meanwhile, right-back Andoni Gorosabel, who arrived this summer from Athletic Club, has become a fixture in the starting eleven. Puado's return would not only bring goals but also experience and character in the dressing room, valuable elements for facing the rest of the season and trying to climb the standings. Fans can follow the team's progress and the captain's comeback through updated squad information.

The immediate objective is clear: end the run of two consecutive defeats and start accumulating points. With Puado on the road back, Espanyol looks to the future with a little more optimism, aware their captain could be the missing piece to add more cutting edge to a game that has so far left them 14 points behind leaders Barcelona. The trip to La Rosaleda will be the first test after the break.

The original report is at Sport.es