Villarreal coach Manuel Pellegrini insists he won't freeze out Juan Roman Riquelme.

"It was obvious that Riquelme's return was going to create a great expectation in the Spanish and Argentinean press," Pellegrini told an Argentinean TV channel.

"I heard what he said in a press conference after the training session and I must say that I don't have a problem against Riquelme."

However, he added: "Riquelme's position is already covered. We have other players for his place.

"There are players that arrived at the club that have taken us to the position we are in."