Valencia coach Rino Gattuso has defended his management of Nico Gonzalez.

The on-loan Barcelona midfielder has struggled for minutes this season, with talk of his deal being cut short in January emerging.

But Gattuso says: "This is the first time I've heard of it. No player has spoken to me. He is working very well. He has a one year contract with us. The player has not come to talk to me.

“All the players want to be starters and I think he should work well on the field and when he has the opportunity to play, show.

"He is a great professional. He trains very well but I have a squad of 23 or 24 players. He is a kid who always trains full."