Justin de Haas
VAL
Back available Friday
De Haas (ankle) returned to partial team training Thursday and is an option again for Friday's clash against Sevilla, according to coach Carlos Corberan. "He will travel with us."
Analysis: De Haas had been expected to be sidelined for around one month with a sprained lateral ligament complex in his right ankle, an injury suffered against Celta that cut short his early run of starting minutes after arriving over the summer. Arnau Martinez figures to continue covering in central defense until he returns to full speed.
Suffers ankle ligament sprain
De Haas suffered a sprain to the lateral ligament complex in his right ankle and is expected to be sidelined for around one month, the club announced.
Analysis: De Haas suffered a right ankle injury during Saturday's clash with Celta and was withdrawn at half-time, with subsequent medical tests confirming a sprain to the lateral ligament complex. The center-back will now begin treatment, rehabilitation and reconditioning, with around one month expected before he can rejoin full training. After arriving during the summer and immediately taking on a starting role, De Haas' absence is an unfortunate setback, with Mouctar Diakhaby likely to cover in central defense while he recovers.
Scan pending on ankle severity
de Haas is currently undergoing an MRI on his ankle, with coach Carlos Corberan cautioning it may not simply be a sprain. "de Haas is currently undergoing the relevant tests for the ankle injury. It doesn't seem like a simple sprain, it looks like an ankle injury. What I can't say right now is the extent of it, because I don't know, because the MRI is being done right now, and once it's finished, that's when we'll know a bit more about the magnitude of the injury."
Analysis: de Haas had initially been diagnosed with a right ankle sprain after being hurt in the scoreless draw against Celta, with an expected absence of at least a week. Corberan's updated comments now suggest the injury could be more significant than first thought, with the results of the scan needed before a clearer timeline emerges. de Haas remains ruled out for Tuesday's rescheduled match against Real Betis, with Cesar Tarrega and Mouctar Diakhaby set to continue as the alternatives at center back.
Sidelined at least one week with sprain
De Haas suffered a right ankle sprain in Saturday's scoreless draw against Celta and will be out for at least a week, according to Tribuna VCF.
Analysis: De Haas took a knock in the first half and couldn't continue after the break, having started in Valencia's season opene. He'll undergo further medical tests to determine the exact grade of the sprain and confirm a firmer timeline. De Haas is ruled out for Tuesday's rescheduled match against Real Betis, with Cesar Tarrega and Mouctar Diakhaby set to be the alternatives at center back. His availability for the trip to Deportivo on August 30 will depend on how the injury progresses.
Back in starting XI Saturday
De Haas (groin) was included in Valencia's starting lineup for Saturday's friendly matchup versus Newcastle.
Analysis: De Haas will be in contention for minutes in a potential three-man back line during his first season with Valencia after a transfer from Portuguese side Famalicao. If he ends up getting a starting role, he could hold plenty of upside, considering he scored five goals despite playing at center-back during the previous league season in Portugal, where he also averaged 5.1 clearances and 1.5 tackles per game. Other players such as Mouctar Diakhaby and Copete (knee) might see their playing time reduced now that de Haas is available.
Forced off during friendly
De Haas was forced off the field in Saturday's friendly against Stoke due to an apparent adductor injury and is set for testing.
Analysis: De Haas has returned to Valencia from England after a friendly with Valencia, as the defender will now be set for testing after suffering an injury against Stoke. After just signing with the club a month ago, this would be a rough loss just ahead of the season, as he looks to be a starter in the defense when fit. The hope will be testing shows only a minimal issue, although a groin injury is something that could keep him out for a few weeks.
Joins Valencia through 2030
de Haas signed with Valencia from Famalicao on a four-year contract through 2030 following the expiration of his contract with the Portuguese club, the club announced.
Analysis: de Haas established himself as one of the standout center-backs in the Portuguese top flight during his time at Famalicao after joining in 2023, and delivered an outstanding 2025-26 campaign in which he started all 33 of his league appearances, playing every minute and contributing six goals as the club finished fifth in the table. The 26-year-old Dutchman stands at 1.94 meters and is known for his ability to build play from the left side of the defensive line, his composure on the ball and his physical presence, making him a modern center-back capable of providing both defensive solidity and attacking threat from set pieces. De Haas came through the academies of AZ Alkmaar, PSV Eindhoven and Dinamo Zagreb before launching his professional career in Croatia with NK Lokomotiva Zagreb, and has represented the Netherlands at youth level from the under-16 through to the under-18 side.
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