Grenada vs Osasuna preview - Geijo return welcome for Grenada

Posted Sunday, September 25, 2011 by PA

Grenada were unfortunate not to back up their first win of the season against Villarreal last weekend with at least a point in midweek as they went down 1-0 to Real Sociedad.

However, they will be boosted by the return of their top scorer from last season, Alex Geijo, for the visit of Osasuna.

Geijo scored 24 goals to help Granada reach the Primera Division for the first time in 35 years but has been restricted to just one substitute appearance by a combination of injuries so far this season.

The striker's recovery means that full-back David Cortes is the only injury concern for Fabri Gonzalez as Granada look to build upon those two vastly-improved performances from the defeats against Malaga and Real Betis that preceded them.

Osasuna were also unlucky in their 0-0 draw with Sevilla on Tuesday night as they had a very strong penalty appeal turned down with 15 minutes to go.

The Navarran side have made a good start to the campaign despite playing Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Sevilla in their first four matches and defender Marc Bertran knows they must now take points against the sides they will be battling with for survival.

"Now we enter another phase against rivals who in theory are in `our league'. We have to take the maximum number of points possible and we are going to Granada knowing how important a game it is. To get the three points would give us great confidence."

Osasuna have injury worries in defence with centre-back Roversio joining Sergio Gonzalez on the sidelines for the next three weeks.

However, Asier Riesgo has recovered from the injury he picked up in the opening day draw at Atleti and could replace Andres Fernandez in goal.