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La Liga

Almeria coach Hugo Sanchez could finally be able to hand summer signing Henok Goitom his competitive debut this weekend.

Goitom was brought in during pre-season following a successful spell at Real Valladolid last term when he netted 10 goals in 29 appearances.

The 25-year-old has been unable to feature for his new club so fat after suffering two separate injuries that have kept him sidelined for the last three months, but he was given the all-clear by the Almeria medical team on Thursday and was today included in Sanchez's 18-man squad for tomorrow's match against Athletic Bilbao.

Sanchez, whose team's tally of 11 goals this season is one of the worst returns in the division, is pleased to have Goitom back to fitness, but warned not to expect too much too soon from the 6ft 5in hitman

"It's good news because we can count on another attacking player, who is a different option, but nobody should think that when he starts to play a mountain of goals are going to arrive," said Sanchez,

"He's spent a lot of time inactive and we cannot put him under pressure."

Sanchez has also called up Crusat and Michel but is without Fabian Vargas, Chico and Miguel Angel Nieto due to injuries.

Despite their poor form in front of goal this season, Almeria have still picked up 12 points so far and they go into this weekend in 13th spot, five points above the relegation zone.

Sanchez has been disappointed with his side's recent results, though.

He felt November was an important month as they had a number of games which on paper looked winnable, but so far they have only beaten Osasuna and lost to Real Zaragoza and Real Mallorca.

They were also knocked out of the Copa del Rey by second division Hercules.

"We've not obtained the points we'd hoped for, and for this reason Sunday's game is even more important. We need to win," said Sanchez.

"I'm worried that we aren't as effective in attack as we need to be, but the results will arrive because I have total confidence."

Sanchez knows his side will have to make the most of any chances they get against eighth-placed Athletic, as the Basque side make the long trip south in buoyant mood after recording successive victories over Atletico Madrid and Racing Santander before holding mighty Barcelona to a 1-1 draw at San Mames last time out.

"Athletic are having a very good season and they will come here with a lot of confidence, especially after drawing with Barcelona, which for them was like a victory," added Sanchez.

"But I think that here, as visitors, they aren't going to play in the same way. They have a very defined way of playing and we've been working hard all week to try and get the three points."

Athletic coach Joaquin Caparros has young striker Iker Muniain available again after injury and he could start tomorrow, but Gaizka Toquero, Aitor Ocio, Iban Zubiaurre and Inaki Munoz are all sidelined.