The Colombia international finished last season as the club's top scorer, with 15 goals across all competitions, as Manuel Pellegrini's team clinched a UEFA Champions League qualification place.

He's scored three so far in 2026/27, with Pellegrini looking to rotate him with summer signing Troy Parrott, who has two goals for Los Verdiblancos.

Parrott's two strikes came in more high-profile games, with winners against Real Madrid and Lille, and the Dubliner now has a free run at the No.9 spot in the coming weeks.

Hernandez missed last weekend's 0-0 LaLiga draw at Celta Vigo, as Nelson Deossa started ahead of Parrott, but he's on course to lead the line against rock-bottom Malaga on October 31st.

From there, Parrott has the chances to impress in clashes against Borussia Dortmund and Elche, before heading off on Nations League duty with the Republic of Ireland in mid-November.