Thomas Partey will start Villarreal's clash against Tottenham from the bench - just hours before the former Arsenal player is due to appear in court after being charged with five counts of rape.
The midfielder booked his move to LaLiga this summer after leaving the north London side on a free transfer.
But Partey does not feature in the starting XI as he returns to the capital to face his former north London derby rivals at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The 32-year-old's trip to London comes mere hours before he is expected at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday morning to answer charges of rape.
His hearing had previously been scheduled at the Old Bailey for September 2, but that appointment was adjourned without explanation on the day.
Partey is accused of two counts of rape against one woman and three counts against another.
An additional sexual assault allegation against the Ghana international relates to a third woman, as confirmed by the Crown Prosecution Service.
Partey appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court to face the charges earlier this summer, before being granted bail.
He was allowed to complete his transfer to Spain, and denies all charges against him, but fans of the club were incensed by his signing, launching a petition with the aim of stopping the move from going ahead.
Many booed and whistled as he made his debut against Oviedo last month, but the player has gone on to make four appearances for his new club.
Partey's manager Marcelino argued that his player is in the right frame of mind for what could be a charged return to north London for European action.
'I'm totally convinced that he is mentally prepared, technically prepared, to play the game,' the head coach said on Monday. 'For sure he will be ready. We are really happy that Thomas is with us for his football capacity and ability and his presence as a human.
'He is a great player with lots of experience. He has played in some top sides. We know he has a great ability and great level.'
The manager also implied that he believed there was too much focus on the star ahead of kick-off.
'We're interpreting stuff about and talking about a player that could be totally innocent,' added Marcelino.
'We are playing a game of football where the important thing is football. This is where football was invented, after all. We're talking more about Thomas than the game.'