Villarreal manager Marcelino is convinced that midfielder Thomas Partey is "mentally prepared" to face Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League on Tuesday.

In July, Partey, 32, was charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault against three women between 2021 and 2022. He denies all the charges.

The former Arsenal midfielder joined Villarreal in August and is now set to face his former north London rivals.

"He (Partey) is with the group," Marcelino said. "I'm totally convinced that he is mentally prepared, technically prepared, to play the game tomorrow night. For sure, he'll be ready.

"We are really happy that Thomas is with us for his football capacity and ability, and his presence as a human. He's a great player with lots of experience. He's played in some top sides. We know he's got a great ability and a great level.

"I think he ended last season and started this season. He settled in during pre-season really, really well. I think he will get back to his top level which we all know that he's got and I'm very happy he's with us in the team."

The five charges of rape relate to alleged incidents that took place between April 21 and May 31, 2021, April and June 2021, in December 2021, February 2022 and June 2022.

The charge of sexual assault relates to an alleged incident in February 2022. Each of the alleged incidents occurred while Partey played for Arsenal, the club he left at the end of his contract on June 30.

Partey has played in all four of Villarreal's La Liga matches to date this term, featuring in each of the first three games as a substitute before starting for the first time in the weekend defeat by Atletico Madrid, his former club.

On August 5, Partey appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court, after which he was granted conditional bail. As per the conditions of his bail, Partey must inform police of any international travel 24 hours in advance, and must not contact the complainants, directly or indirectly.

Partey will return to court -- Southwark Crown Court -- on Wednesday for a plea hearing on each of the charges.

In April, The Athletic reported that Partey was in talks over remaining at Arsenal but an agreement could not be reached on the terms of a deal. He then joined Villarreal as a free agent in August, one month after his departure from Arsenal and several weeks after being charged.

At the time of his signing, Villarreal said: "The club is aware that the player is currently involved in legal proceedings in England. The player firmly maintains his innocence and denies all charges against him.

"The club respects the fundamental principle of the presumption of innocence and will await the outcome of the judicial process, which will be responsible for clarifying the facts of the case. Due to the law in England in relation to the ongoing proceedings the club is unable to comment further."

Villarreal president Fernando Roig added in August: "The club defends the presumption of innocence and it is for the English justice system to clarify the facts. Logically, we are opposed to any type of violence in or outside of football."

Borja Pena, president of the Villarreal fans' group in Madrid 'Os Groc', told The Athletic at the time of Partey's signing: "From a sporting perspective, Thomas is a high-profile signing that brings experience to the team."

Cesar Pena, president of the Villarreal supporters' club in Villafranca de Barros, Extremadura, said it was "complicated" as he understood the signing "in football terms" but added: "I would not agree to sign a player accused of such serious crimes and I would understand if the fans booed the player on the pitch."

Villarreal's Thomas Partey 'mentally prepared' to face Tottenham in Champions League - Marcelino