Mallorca goalkeeper Iván Cuéllar suffers serious head injury after structure falls on him at training ground

Real Mallorca goalkeeper Iván 'Pichu' Cuéllar sustained a serious head injury on Monday when a large structure collapsed on him in the dining room of the Ciutat Esportiva Antonio Asensio, also known as Son Bibiloni. The 42-year-old was rushed to hospital, where doctors ruled out major complications and confirmed that he is recovering well.

• Iván Cuéllar, 42, suffered a serious head injury in the dining room of Mallorca's training ground.
• The accident occurred on Monday morning before the scheduled training session.
• The club took the goalkeeper to hospital, where he remains under observation for 24 hours.
• Luis García is left without a backup option in goal ahead of Sunday's match at Girona.
• Arnau Tenas, who made a costly error against Almería, is the only senior goalkeeper available.

Iván Cuéllar accident at Son Bibiloni before training

The incident took place in the morning at the Palma-based club's training facilities. According to the club, a piece that formed part of the decor in the dining room gave way and struck the veteran goalkeeper, causing a significant wound to his head. The scheduled session was immediately sidelined: the priority was to attend to the player and transfer him without delay to a hospital in the Balearic capital.

Pichu Cuéllar medical update: under observation for 24 hours

Mallorca released an official statement to report on their player's condition. 'This morning, Ivan Pichu Cuéllar suffered a serious head injury after a large structure, which formed part of the decor in the dining room at the Ciutat Esportiva collapsed,' the club wrote. The statement added that the keeper had been taken to hospital for treatment and would remain under medical supervision over the following day.

Despite the initial alarm and the severity of the wound, early examinations point to a positive recovery. Doctors are keeping the player monitored and, after the first hours of concern, the clinical picture shows no alarming signs that would raise fears about his recovery.

Mallorca left without reliable backup for LaLiga trip to Girona

Cuéllar's absence comes at a delicate moment for Luis García's side, who are fully involved in the fight to climb positions in the second tier. Both Mallorca and Girona were relegated at the end of last season and face this new campaign with the obligation to fight for promotion. After seven rounds, the two teams sit level on 13 points and head into Sunday's match at Montilivi with nothing separating them.

Lucas Bergström with Finland and Arnau Tenas in the spotlight

The setback considerably reduces Luis García's options between the sticks. Lucas Bergström, one of the first-team goalkeepers, is currently on international duty with Finland and will not be available for the visit to Catalonia. With Cuéllar in hospital, the coach is left only with Arnau Tenas, the regular starter so far this season.

Tenas comes into the fixture after an error that proved decisive in the previous round. His mistake while playing out from the back led to Almería's only goal in a 1-0 win at Son Moix, deepening Mallorca's frustration at home. Now, without a proven alternative on the bench, the young keeper must bounce back quickly to defend the Balearic goal in a key match against Girona.

What is at stake for Real Mallorca at Montilivi

Sunday's meeting at the Estadi de Montilivi pits against each other two projects that know each other well from last season in the top flight. Girona, eager to make home advantage count, will try to pull away from a direct rival. Mallorca, for their part, need to end their inconsistent run and pick up points away from home to avoid losing touch with the leading pack.

The margin for error shrinks with every round, and Cuéllar's absence reduces the coaching staff's room for manoeuvre. While they wait to learn whether the goalkeeper can return to group training in the coming days, Mallorca will travel to Girona with what they have and with the goal as the main focus of attention.