Barcelona star could return to starting XI vs Real Valladolid | OneFootball

A long-term absentee from the starting XI at La Liga giants Barcelona could be in line for a return to first-team duties over the coming weeks.

That’s according to Diario AS, who point towards Marc-André ter Stegen as the player in question.

Shot-stopper Ter Stegen’s name has of course taken its place front and centre in the headlines in Catalunya’s capital over the course of the last couple of weeks.

This comes after the German international, sidelined since all the way back in September owing to a serious knee injury, took a significant step back towards a return to the pitch.

Ter Stegen has now rejoined group training alongside the rest of Hansi Flick’s squad at The Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper.

Drawn on the goalkeeper situation in his squad earlier this week, Flick himself hinted that the 32-year-old, in turn, is back in contention for game-time.

And as alluded to above, if the latest word stemming from the media is anything to go by, a date could soon be pencilled in for as much.

As per a report from Diario AS:

‘Flick is clear that his starting goalkeeper against Real Madrid and Inter will be Szczesny. But in Valladolid, or if the league is tied up, it could be the German’s turn.’

Conor Laird – GSFN