Welbeck: Enciso is a jewel

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The pair could start against AS Roma on Thursday evening.

Charlie Hanson

2024-03-14T06:00:00Z

Danny Welbeck and Julio Enciso embrace after our 1-1 draw with Manchester City last season, that guaranteed Europa League football this campaign.

Danny Welbeck says the entire Albion dressing room has been lifted by Julio Enciso’s return to first team action.

The Paraguay international came back after six months out with a knee injury last month and Welbeck envisages the youngster quickly making an impact.

“It’s really good to have him back, he’s been through a really tough time with the injury but we know what he brings to the team,” the former Arsenal man said ahead of tonight's tie with AS Roma.

Julio Encio made his Europa League debut at AS Roma last week.

“Being out for that amount of time and then coming back to training, getting into the squad, getting into the team and the rhythm of playing games and training sessions, recovering and going again [is tough].

“Julio is a jewel, he has got match-winning qualities and we look forward to him bringing that to the team. When he’s involved, everybody is excited and we're pleased for him to be back. Collectively, we know what he brings to the team.”

Danny now wants Enciso and the rest of the players to put all their efforts into beating Roma at the Amex.

“The belief has got to be there," he added. "The [4-0] defeat in Rome was difficult to take but it’s the reality of where we are today. We’ve got the second leg and it’s a tough task but it’s one we’ve got to look forward to.

“It’s going to be a difficult game but it’s game on and we want to give it our best. We didn’t give a true reflection of what we know we can produce when we played in Rome and tonight we’ve got a chance to put that right.”