Improving Villarreal look set to have talismanic midfielder Marcos Senna back to full fitness as they attempt to climb further away from the Primera Division relegation zone this weekend.
Senna's last appearance in the league came against Malaga on October 25, but the veteran midfielder featured in the Copa del Rey success against Puertollano just prior to the international break, and he used last weekend to further work on his fitness.
The Brazilian-born Euro 2008 winner feels he is now fully fit, but admits the real test will be if he manages to get through Saturday's match against Real Valladolid unscathed.
"This game means a lot for us. We will see after the game if I'm 100% because the demands are always a little more when you are in a competitive match. I hope that I can have a good game and, after that, continue with normality," he said.
Senna's expected return to league action is a further boost for Villarreal as they look to continue their recovery from a dismal start to the season.
The Yellow Submarine found themselves propping up the table after failing to win any of their opening seven games, and that form, combined with two defeats in three Europa League games, meant the pressure was firmly on coach Ernesto Valverde just a few months after replacing Manuel Pellegrini.
However, in their last six competitive games, Villarreal have picked up four victories to climb up to 16th in La Liga, revive their Europa League hopes and progress through to the last 16 of the Copa del Rey.
During that run Villarreal have also netted 15 goals, ending a barren spell that had seen them net just twice in their previous six matches.
"It seems we've got rid of the feeling that we needed to create a lot of chances to score," said a relieved Valverde.
"This is good because our strikers have gained confidence and what we have to do now is continue creating opportunities.
"This is a game which is very important because if we win we will go into the other games before Christmas with much more belief. We've picked up good results, but we are still down at the bottom of the table and we must not be over-confident.
"Valladolid will be an uncomfortable opponent for us to face."
Valladolid lost four of their first seven matches this season in a very disappointing start to the campaign for Jose Luis Mendilibar's side.
The Castilians are unbeaten in the league since then, defeating Deportivo La Coruna 4-0 before recording back-to-back draws against Espanyol and Xerez.
Despite the team's recent improvement, though, Valladolid have only won twice in the league all season and are just three points clear of the drop zone ahead of the trip to El Madrigal.
Pedro Lopez and Fabian Canobbio are both doubtful, but Jacobo Sanz and Luis Prieto should recover from their respective problems in time. Sisi is back in training following six weeks on the sidelines, but is unlikely to return yet.
