Xavi eager to be fit for Valencia match

(GSM) – Barcelona midfielder Xavi is aiming to be fit for his club’s crucial Primera Division clash against Valencia following the international break.

The Catalan midfield maestro has been struggling with an Achilles tendon problem that left him out of Vicente Del Bosque’s Spain squad for their Euro 2012 qualifying matches against Lithuania and Scotland.

However, the 30-year-old midfielder is hoping to return to full fitness to face Valencia at the Nou Camp.

When asked about his fitness, Xavi told his club’s website. ”I’m getting better, I’ve suffered enough and I’ve played with quite a lot of pain.

”The doctors knew it, I knew it, but they were important games and I wanted to be involved, but in the end the pain was unbearable. After the (Champions League) match with Rubin Kazan I spoke with Del Bosque and with Pep.

”I think that it was a good moment to rest. This 20-day break has been good for me and we’ll see if I can overcome this tendonitis and this great pain that I have.’

”I’m always optimistic, I like to think positively and I hope to be there against Valencia. It depends on how I feel and the training sessions this week. The doctors and physios tell me I could be there to face Valencia but we’ll see how things go.”

And after last season’s home run that took 55 from a possible 57 points, Xavi admits it is pivotal that the Catalans do not drop any more points in front of their home fans.

”We have dropped five points and that can’t happen. We only dropped two all last season with the draw against Villarreal and these five points might be vital at the end of the season. Let’s hope not, but five points are a lot to drop at home,” he said.