Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Alex Padilla injured his knee during training with Mexico U23s.

Athletic Bilbao coach Ernesto Valverde has been dealt another blow after 21-year-old goalkeeper Alex Padilla suffer a knee injury during training with Mexico Under-23s and is likely to miss Saturday’s clash with Espanyol at the earliest, Ufabet report on Friday.

Bilbao started the season without first-choice goalkeeper Unai Simon, who underwent surgery on a right wrist injury after Euro 2024, with Julen Aquirazbala stepping up to the starting line-up but missing the two games with a back injury, with Padilla coming on as his replacement, against Getafe and Barcelona.

Padilla was hand another start in the 2-1 defeat to Girona following the suspension of Aquirazbala. And the 21-year-old impress before Valverde receive bad news from the Mexico U23s’ training camp. 

That meant that Alex Padilla was select against Getafe and Barcelona. While he also started last weekend at Girona because of a suspension for Agirrezabala. The youngster has impressed when called upon, although he has now also picked up a knock.

Padilla’s knee injury is reportedly not serious, but Athletic Bilbao will need to carry out further tests on the Mexican goalkeeper upon his return to the club. Promotion ufabet with him likely to be available for Saturday’s clash with Espanyol.