Giuseppe Rossi has urged his Villarreal team-mates to continue their momentum heading towards the winter break.

The Yellow Submarine found themselves propping up the table after failing to win any of their opening seven games, and that form, combined with two defeats in three Europa League games, meant the pressure was firmly on coach Ernesto Valverde just a few months after replacing Manuel Pellegrini.

However, they have picked up in recent weeks to move up to 11th in the Primera Division with five wins in their last seven competitive games, although they remain some 12 points off the Champions League places.

Their recent form has been partly down to Rossi rediscovering his goalscoring touch - the Italian notched in last week's 3-1 home win against Valladolid and seems to be striking up a potent partnership with Brazilian striker Nilmar.

And while Rossi is delighted with his personal improvement, he acknowledges the team's upturn in fortunes is of paramount importance as they prepare for tomorrow's trip to Sporting Gijon.

"The truth is that I'm happy with what has happened in recent games," he told his club's website.

"If goals do not come then you have to work for the team, but now both myself and the other strikers are on a roll and that's much better for everyone."

Rossi is determined to see his side continue their resurgence and keep their European ambitions alive.

"We want to reach the end of the year with a chance for the Europa League and for that we must win every game possible," he said. "We are a team who has to fight for European places."

Team-mate Ruben Cani hopes to return to action after missing the Valladolid match with injury.

"I still have some discomfort in the foot in some movements, but at least I can train with the rest of the squad," said the midfielder.

"Whether I play in Gijon is the decision of the coach. Clearly there is never a good time for injuries but at least the team did well and I have only been away for a week."

Cani believes their recent form gives Villarreal a good opportunity to record their first away win in La Liga.

"Away from home we have to win a game," he said.

"If we manage to do it at Sporting it would really help us in the table. Especially at home we have played very well lately, but it remains a target to win away from El Madrigal."

Valverde will check on Marcos Senna's fitness after he returned from injury last week while Cani will also undergo a test.

Sporting counterpart Manuel Preciado will be without injured goalkeeper Ivan Cuellar and midfielder Kike Mateo.

Preciado's side are seventh in the table after an excellent start to the season featuring 17 points taken from 11 games.

With just 10 goals conceded only the top three have fewer in the 'against' column - but the Sporting boss insists his side are no defensive bores.

"I will not lose the joy in attack," he vowed.