Valencia coach Rino Gattuso admits he ordered Jose Luis Gaya to take a holiday after being released from Spain's World Cup squad.

Gaya was cut loose before the tournament kicked off due to injury, though the defender trained freely when returning to Valencia.

Gattuso told AS: "He's very good. When he returned from the World Cup he wanted to train the same day. I forced him to go on vacation. It was the best thing he had to do.

"We have decided very well. It was hard having to return from the World Cup due to a small injury. But he came back with his head better. He is an amazing kid. He is giving us a lot. He is the captain and a boy with great intelligence.

"It's difficult to talk about this because there is a coach. I have told José: 'You think of the players, but I also think of the coach'. The coach (Luis Enrique) was afraid, had to decide and made his decision. It is not easy."