Velazquez rules out Serginho and Bouras for Levski derby against CSKA

Levski head coach Julio Velazquez faces significant selection issues ahead of Sunday's match against CSKA. The Spanish manager must plan his strategy against opposing coach Markus Gisdol without two of the squad's most prominent foreign players, Serginho and Akram Bouras, according to reports citing Match Telegraph.

Serginho suffered an injury during the recent fixture against Jagiellonia and was forced off at halftime. Although sources familiar with the situation suggest the issue is not severe, Velazquez has been categorical that he will not risk the player against CSKA, even with a scheduled break following the derby. The coach adheres to a strict policy of excluding any player who is not 100% fit from his selection.

Akram Bouras also encountered recurring physical problems which prevented him from appearing in the match against the Polish side. He similarly will not be risked for the upcoming derby. This setback is particularly untimely as the pain resurfaced just when he was believed to have fully recovered from a previous injury sustained in August.