On-loan Valencia striker Nelson Valdez has revealed that he intends to train hard in order to earn a place in the first team.

Currently Roberto Soldado is ahead of Valdez in the pecking order but the Paraguayan has scored six goals for Valencia, mainly from the bench.

He said, however, that he is keen to start more games and hopes that his effort will be rewarded.

"What I want is to play," Valdez told the club's official website. "That is why I train and work hard.

"I try to do everything as best I can and train at 100%. I'm not one to demand things – I prefer to earn them.

"I know that I have a hard job with Roberto ahead of me. Valencia need him and the manager has said that it is difficult to field two out-and-out strikers. I have to accept this situation."

Soldado has scored 17 times in 29 games this season.

Written by
Matt Domm