Muscle pain rules Ilias Akhomach out of Villarreal clash in Copa del Rey

Moroccan international Ilias Akhomach will miss Villarreal's match against CD Manacor in the first round of the Copa del Rey due to muscle pain that has prevented him from being fit to participate.

Iñigo Pérez, Villarreal's coach, revealed during the press conference ahead of the match that the Moroccan player will not be available for this encounter, explaining that he felt muscle pain that necessitated his exclusion from the squad.

The Spanish coach said: "We will miss Ilias, as he felt a muscle pain," without revealing additional details regarding the nature of the injury or the expected duration of the player's absence from training and matches.

Ilias Akhomach will not be the only absentee, as Pérez has also confirmed that Carlos Romero and Nathan are unfit, with updates on their health expected in the coming days.

Villarreal will visit CD Manacor on Tuesday in the first round of the Copa del Rey, with anticipation surrounding the impact of absences on the coaching staff's options.

Ilias Akhomach's return to the pitch remains linked to the progress of his health condition and response to treatment, with a clearer picture expected to emerge following updates from the club's medical staff.