Either due to injuries of various considerations or due to confinements derived from COVID-19, Pepe Mel has not been able to count on his entire staff throughout the course. In fact, for this last reason, as confirmed by the Las Palmas coach himself and the sports director, Luis Helguera, it was finally decided have a staff as extensive as possible despite the fact that the intention, in the middle of the winter market, was precisely the opposite.
Although his threat remains latent, the virus gave Mel some breathing space these last days. It happens that, after the return from Mallorca, where the team won 0-1, Clemente, Jonathan Silva and Rober tested positive, while Edu Espiau also had to confine himself for being close contact of the latter. Later it became known that there were members of the crew that brought the team from the Mediterranean archipelago who were infected. With everyone already safe, especially blessed is the return of the Extremaduran attacker, On loan from Betis until the end of this league season.
Rober happens to be one of the most important footballers in Las Palmas, irrefutable statistics that prove it. Before missing the games against Leganés and Mirandés, plus that of Sabadell, already with the medical discharge but lacking rhythm, the winger He had played 20 of the 24 games currently accumulated by UD, being also the second player in minutes played, with 1,481 (barely surpassed in both classifications by Álex Suárez, with 23 and 2,020).
His contribution in the attack front of the Sports Union is as decisive as the most. At the moment accumulates five goals, tied with Araujo (no one above), and two assists. The importance of both players is such that Las Palmas has barely won one game, the recent one against Leganés (2-1), without either of them scoring.
The team accumulates two consecutive games without scoring, nor that it had run dry. Hence Rober, to external amusement, is almost as important when he doesn't play as when he does. After being left out of the squad against Sabadell, only a sudden change in time will prevent him from traveling to Almería on Saturday, where Las Palmas plays on Sunday (3pm Canary Islands time). You have to go to the yellow rescue. Everyone looks to the playoffs, but this league doesn't wait for anyone.