Assessment of the players' fitness ahead of 2024/25

Athletic Club's head of medical services, Josean Lekue, said the players' pre-season medical assessments "went ahead normally and with positive results".

The club doctor spoke about a range of issues including players currently carrying injuries and the importance of managing workloads in a season where Athletic will compete in four competitions.

He said: "We have to appreciate that we have a technical team with extensive experience in the management of seasons with many matches, which is an asset.

"From a medical point of view, we focus more precisely on everything related to controlling workloads with recovery tools that we must use effectively and with the usual monitoring processes that we do in the team, all while knowing that the number of matches will indeed increase significantly."

Lekue confirmed that the Euro 2024 winners Nico Williams and Dani Vivian will follow an "initial plan to take a four-week rest period".

"With them, as with all the squad, a work plan, adjusted to their training and competition minutes, has been drawn up for the rest period."

As for Unai Simón, his return to activity will be delayed as this week he will undergo surgery to treat an issue with his right hand.

Lekue said: "It's a ligament instability issue in his right wrist. It's an injury that has been evolving for months. We identified it and have been monitoring it throughout the season.

"He will undergo surgery this Thursday. We don't normally talk about predictions for time on the sidelines, but it will be months."

Lekue also spoke about Nico Serrano, who is still recovering from a serious hamstring injury suffered at the end of last season in addition to a shoulder issue.

"We're considering surgery on his recurrent left shoulder dislocation. Right now he has two fronts and both are evolving well without any complications."