The Spanish coach Ernesto Valverde confirmed that Athletic Bilbao does not yet have a clear timeline for the return of their international winger Nico Williams, who continues to be absent due to a bothersome groin injury.

The player has been absent from the team for weeks after deciding to temporarily halt his activities to begin a new treatment aimed at fully recovering from the physical issue that affected his performance.

Valverde explained in his statements that the coaching staff prefers to be patient and not set a specific date for the player's return, emphasizing that the most important thing is for him to return in full physical readiness. The coach said that the team cannot rely on a player who is "half-fit," referring to Williams' previous struggles with playing while not fully fit, which is something the club does not want to repeat.

The Spanish winger is currently undergoing an intensive treatment program to recover from a groin injury that has plagued him for a long time and forced him to stay away from the team's group training sessions. This injury has affected the player's speed and sprints, which are among his key strengths in the Basque team's offensive line.

The absence of Williams is a significant blow to Athletic Bilbao at a critical stage of the season, especially as the team seeks to improve its results in La Liga and compete for spots qualifying for European competitions. Meanwhile, the coaching staff hopes the player will return in the best possible condition before the end of the season.