Takefusa Kubo News: Named on bench

Kubo (ankle) is named on the bench for Saturday's derby against Athletic.

Kubo returned to the bench after recovering from an ankle injury. Kubo had been dealing with the issue since September and played two matches through pain before being left out of the starting lineup in subsequent games. so it is not a surprise that he among the substitutes as the team takes a cautious approach, with his starting role in the coming weeks likely depending on how well he puts the injury behind him.