Sporting de Gijón defender Andrés Cuenca will be available for Sunday's Asturian derby against Real Oviedo before joining the Spain U-20 squad. The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) granted the club permission for the player to delay his national team reporting until Monday, the day after the match at the Estadio Carlos Tartiere.
Real Oviedo, sitting 13th in the Segunda División with eight points, face one of their most important fixtures of the calendar. The team arrives with an uneven record of two wins, two draws, and two losses from their opening six games, including a 3-1 defeat to Sabadell last time out.
RFEF approval
Sporting de Gijón's request to keep Cuenca was approved by the governing body. Andrés Menéndez, a club official, outlined the situation. "El Sporting de Gijón ha informado de la convocatoria de Andrés Cuenca para la próxima concentración de la Selección Sub-20," he said. This move allows the defender to take part in a match described as one of the most significant in the season for the red-and-white side. Cuenca's presence is especially valuable given Sporting's current form; the team has 10 points and arrives at the derby with three wins and a draw from their last five matches, including a run of three consecutive clean sheets.
International duty
After the derby, Cuenca will link up with the national squad coached by Paco Gallardo. The Spain U-20 team has a friendly scheduled against Mexico next Wednesday, 30 September, at the Cerro del Espino ground in Majadahonda. This fixture, originally planned for Ceuta, was moved to the Madrid locality.
Cuenca's presence adds an extra layer of intrigue to a regional classic always full of passion. Real Oviedo will be looking for points at home to improve their standing in the table, currently eight points behind leaders Castellón. The Sporting defender will temporarily bid farewell to his club to fulfil the international call-up after facing their historic rivals. For Sporting, who have kept their goal untouched for 270 consecutive minutes, the defensive solidity Cuenca provides will be a fundamental pillar in their attempt to take points from the home of their biggest rival.
The original report is at Sport.es
