Espanyol coaching staff are keen for their players to overcome the tragic death of captain Dani Jarque ahead of the new season.

Jarque died as a result of heart failure during the team's pre-season training in Italy, the tragic loss having a profound effect on players, coaching staff and supporters alike.

Despite missing several days of training after last week's tragedy, reports in AS suggest the Espanyol players are in good physical shape and the coaching staff have said that recovering from the loss of their captain is now top priority.

Coach Mauricio Pochettino welcomed a number of players back to full training at their training ground in Catalunya. David García, Moisés Hurtado and Ben Sahar all trained with the first team after missing three sessions last week due to a flu virus.

Ivan Alonso and Nico Young are both absent with similar throat infections, while veteran midfielder Ivan de la Pena continues his recuperation from injury. The 'Little Buddha' is entering his ninth season as an Espanyol player, and his 17th year as a professional.

Shunsuke Nakamura, who signed earlier this summer from Celtic, did not train but is expected to be fit for the start of the Primera Liga.