Nuno plays down talk of Negredo rift

Nuno reaffirmed Alvaro Negredo's ongoing absence
from the Valencia squad is down to technical issues
amid unrest among fans.

Valencia coach Nuno Espirito Santo has cooled suggestions of a
rift with Alvaro Negredo, stating that he wants the striker to
return to the squad as soon as possible.

Negredo has not been included in the matchday squad for
Valencia since the 3-1 defeat to Athletic Bilbao on October 4
after criticising Nuno's role in their slow start to the season in
an interview.

Despite an injury to Rodrigo during the defeat with Atletico
Madrid last weekend, the former Manchester City man was not
recalled for Saturday's clash with Levante - with Nuno
previously citing his absence as a result of "technical, sporting
reasons".

Although Valencia ran out 3-0 winners at the Mestalla, the fans
voiced their disapproval over the treatment of the striker by
whistling the coach.

However, Nuno continued to insist the 30-year-old's absence is
solely down to performance-related issues, playing down
suggestions of disaffection between the pair.

"I've already explained the Negredo case from my perspective.

No one has a bigger interest than me to see Alvaro come back
to help us. We want him back," the Portuguese said.

"The numbers that we're seeing aren't good enough. Many
people don't see what I see, it's my job to analyse players and
the options available to us."

When asked what he was going to do to try and stop the
whistles, Nuno was adamant that things would soon turn
around.

"What I'm going to do is go to work tomorrow. We've now had a
number of games in the Liga without losing," he added.

"If we hadn't drawn those two games at home [against
Deportivo La Coruna and Real Betis] we'd be in a different
situation.

"I understand the fans. It hurts on a personal level, no-one likes
listening to that, but I'm convinced that it's going to change."