Athletic take no risk with Llorente

Athletic Club Bilbao forward Fernando Llorente spent last night under observation in hospital after suffering a blow to the head and a burst blood vessel in his left ear in Sunday's 2-2 Liga draw at Real Valladolid CF.

On-field fright
The 24-year-old Spanish international briefly lost consciousness after clashing with defender Nivaldo in the eleventh minute of the encounter at the Estadio José Zorrilla and was immediately taken to hospital for tests. Initial reports on the player's condition stated he had fully regained consciousness and was suffering a mild headache.

Record breaker
On a happier note for the UEFA Europa League contenders, Iker Muniain's 77th-minute equaliser saw him become the Liga's youngest ever goalscorer. At 16 years and 289 days, Muniain took the record from Xisco Nadal who registered for Villarreal CF aged 16 years and 353 days in 2002/03. Athletic – who began their UEFA Europa League challenge with a victory over FK Austria Wien before losing to Werder Bremen – face CD Nacional on 22 October.