Georgian midfielder Giorgi Kochorashvili is available for CA Osasuna in Monday's clash against Sevilla FC at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán. The player, who missed ten days with a left soleus overload, could even start in Jagoba Arrasate's first official match in charge of the Pamplona-based side.

Kochorashvili picked up the knock during the 3-3 draw with Levante and his return is a significant boost for the engine room. The Navarrese team, eleventh in La Liga with 11 points, arrives after a 2-0 win over Racing Santander on Sunday 18 October, with goals from Ante Budimir and Asier Osambela. The Croatian striker is, in fact, the team's top scorer this season with seven goals in nine appearances. The aim now is to get a good result in Seville to cut the three-point gap to the Andalusian side, who sit sixth. A win would be vital for a team that has managed only one win, one draw and three losses in its last five matches, a run that includes the heavy 5-2 defeat to Real Betis on 11 October.

Absences and probable lineups

For Osasuna, the injured Herrando, Aimar Oroz and Romain del Castillo remain unavailable. In midfield, Moi Gómez is favoured over Osambela to partner Iker Muñoz and Jon Moncayola. The probable defence would consist of Rosier, Catena, Boyomo and Bretones, with Aitor Fernández in goal. Arrasate, who replaces Luis Miguel Ramis, faces his first major test at a traditionally difficult ground.

Sevilla, meanwhile, approach the match needing to end a run of three games without a win. Their manager, Luis García Plaza, returns to the touchline after a month away. "If a player from a big team does it I want to see if they leave him with ten," the Sevilla coach stated regarding the application of the rules. Besides Kochorashvili, the hosts welcome back Isaac Romero from suspension and are assessing Lucas Stassin, who could be ready for the second half.

The match, which closes the tenth round of La Liga, will be officiated by referee Luis García Plaza. An away win would allow Osasuna to draw level with Sevilla in the standings, an extra incentive for a team looking to move past its inconsistent recent form. With just 11 points from nine games, the team has recorded three wins and two draws, but has also conceded 18 goals while scoring only 10. Also, they are 16 points behind the leaders, Barcelona, making every point in Seville key for improving their position.

First reported at El Correo de Andalucía