The Spanish international front man has been in fine form for the South Wales side since Paul Clement took over in January and, while he missed Sunday's goalless draw with Middlesbrough and faces a race to be fit for this evening's clash, Mauricio says he knows all about the former Athletic Bilbao and Sevilla man following his own time in La Liga.
“I played against him, both as a player and when I was manager at Espanyol,” Mauricio explained.
“He’s a very good striker, tall, strong, powerful and if he plays, we’ll have to be focused.
“We expect a tough game.