Valencia coach Unai Emery is looking for an immediate response to the loss of his side's unbeaten run when they start their UEFA Cup group campaign against FC Copenhagen on Thursday.

Valencia surrendered both their 11-match unbeaten streak and top spot in the Primera Liga at the weekend after losing 4-2 at home to Racing Santander at a rain-swept Mestalla.

Los Che do not have long to wait for a chance to make amends for that setback as they play host to FC Copenhagen in what will be the Spanish giants' opening Group G match.

"After a defeat the most important thing is to lift yourselves as soon as possible and to continue generating confidence, analysing and improving things," said Emery. "It's a constant progression.

"We want to win tomorrow. We have a lot of respect for our opponents and the UEFA Cup. There is no respite, there are four games and any setback will leave you with little room to recover.

"The UEFA Cup is very important for us and we are going to fight for it. We want to go as far as possible. It all started against Maritimo and tomorrow is the next step."

Winger Joaquin was struggling with a calf injury earlier this week and could be a doubt, while Spain midfielder David Silva is definitely still absent even though he has now started running again.

However, defenders Alexis and Asier del Horno were able to train on Tuesday after overcoming their fitness problems.

FC Copenhagen are currently bottom of Group G after losing their opening match 3-1 at home to St Etienne, but they can take heart from the fact they have lost just one of their last six away games in UEFA competitions.

The Danish outfit have also been in fine form both home and away over the last few months, with Stale Solbakken's men having lost just twice in 22 matches - once to St Etienne and also against Brondby in the league.

Ulrik Laursen is out of the trip to Spain with a groin injury along with long-term injury victims Peter Larsson and Jesper Gronkjaer.