Espanyol vice-captain Joan Verdu says his contract renewal is on the back burner until the club's on field problems are resolved.
“For me, there is nothing new,” he told AS. “It is time for these personal issues to be put aside, until the team is in a more quiet place. There is no rush.”
The Parakeets are bottom of La Liga and four points short of safety after seven games but the 29-year-old is encouraged by the performance in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Real Valladolid, and frustrated the international break stops them from building on it.
“I'd rather there was no break in the League, and we could play the very next day so this situation could be reversed soon.
“Valladolid was the way to go. Our work and attitude was good. Hopefully we can get points because we need them, we can't fool anyone, we need to be realistic.
“We need to maintain the unity in the dressing room. That is what will take us to the end.”
Verdu sympathises with Simao, who was left out of the squad in Valladolid.
“It's a difficult situation, but I'm sure we will all prove to be important. He did not feature in this game, but will help us a lot in the future.”
Mauricio Pochettino's strugglers take on Rayo Vallecano after the international break.
