Abelardo happy with Douglas: "He's versatile - and free"

Sporting de Gijón coach Abelardo Fernández says he has no complaints at all about the arrival of Brazilian full-back Douglas Pereira who arrives on a one-year loan from his old club Barcelona. Aberlardo is thrilled to have a player who "has the versatility to play on either wing, can join the attack, help the team and best of all - he's joined us for free".

Douglas is Sporting's 12th reinforcement of the summer but won't be the last. The Asturians are hoping to bring in a striker to compliment Duje Cop and Carlos Castro.  "If all of the new signing work out, it'll be the business", Aberlardo beamed today .

As for Douglas, he recognized that the defender could be a little rusty, as he has hardly played over the past two years: "He joins is from Barcelona, and before that he was at São Paulo - two great clubs. He's sure to bring us something because he is such a versatile player", the coach continued, adding that he got the lowdown on Douglas from Luis Enrique before requesting the defender on loan.

Sporting pay a visit to LaLiga newcomers Alavés on Sunday - a clash between the two clubs who have undergone the most radical revamps in terms of their playing staff this summer: "They have 16 or 17 new players, a new coach, but they've managed to put together a good squad with which they will be hoping to reach their objective which is to stay in the top flight", Abelardo explained. "I think they're going to be a side who like keeping hold of the ball; as a club they have a lot of virtues - their ground is a wonderful place to play as their fans gets right behind the team. I know the club well because I was lucky enough to spend a season there as a player - they're be no shortage of atmosphere on Sunday".