UD Las Palmas captain Álex Suárez is injured and will miss the team's next league match. The central defender suffered a right hamstring muscle injury, as reported by MARCA on Wednesday from Gran Canaria, worsening the defensive crisis for the yellow team.
The captain's absence adds to those of Viti, Marvin, and Opoku, leaving manager Rubén de la Barrera with only four fully fit defenders: Clemente, Pezzolesi, Bonfanti, and Herzog. The team faces its away trip to Cadiz this Saturday, September 13th, sitting tenth in the Segunda División table with seven points from two wins, one draw, and one loss in four games. Their recent form is DLWW, with six goals scored and six conceded.
Who are the available defenders?
The injury list in the backline is long. With Álex Suárez out, Rubén de la Barrera's natural options are reduced to four first-team players. Right-back Clemente, centre-back Pezzolesi, fellow centre-back Bonfanti, and left-back Herzog are the only defenders with league minutes this season who are free from physical issues. This situation forces the coaching staff to seriously consider promoting youth team players to cover gaps in the matchday squad. The full first-team roster can be checked on our squad page.
Which youth players could be called up?
The need to cover positions has put the spotlight on the club's academy structure. Among the names being considered for a temporary boost are full-back Aidan Pérez, centre-back Trespalacios, and defender Valentino Raca. These youngsters have trained with the first team on occasion and are familiar with De la Barrera's working methods. Their inclusion in the squad will depend on the evolution of the injured players in the coming hours and the manager's final assessment. Suárez's injury is a hard blow, and the player himself confirmed it on social media with a brief message: "Álex Suárez, KO."
How does this affect the match against Cadiz?
The match against 18th-placed Cadiz now presents a greater degree of difficulty for the Canary Islands side. The absence of their captain and defensive leader will force a restructuring of the back four. Also, the accumulation of absences limits tactical options and in-game substitutions. Rubén de la Barrera will have to find imaginative solutions with the available resources to maintain defensive solidity, a key aspect if the team wants to close the three-point gap to leaders Castellón. The progress of all club injuries can be followed in our dedicated injuries section.
What is the season's context?
UD Las Palmas arrives at this fifth matchday with an even goal difference and a mid-table position. The promotion objective requires consistency, and massive injuries in the same line are a significant obstacle. The team showed character in its last two wins but must now overcome this adversity. The next test is an away game against a direct rival that also needs points. All information on the updated league table is available on the standings page. The match at the Nuevo Mirandilla is scheduled for Saturday, September 13th, 2026.
