Enner Valencia Injury: Close to returning

Valencia (thigh) is in the final stretch of his rehabilitation from the injury he suffered on Nov. 20 in the Play-In round, Raul Gomez of Minuto Final MX reported Friday.

Valencia has increased his workload ahead of the Clausura campaign, incorporating ball drills into his training during the week. The veteran is expected to remain Tuzos' starting center-forward as long as they don't acquire a higher-quality signing during the offseason period. During the previous campaign, he scored four goals and delivered one assist in 10 games while averaging 2.9 shots (1.0 on target) per match. His eventual comeback should push Jhonder Cadiz back to a substitute role.