Barcelona veteran could feature against Real Valladolid after seven-month absence | OneFootball

It has been more than seven months since Marc-Andre ter Stegen last took the field for Barcelona.

After all, the 32-year-old shot-stopper suffered a patellar tendon rupture in September last year during a La Liga game vs Villarreal and had to undergo surgery.

At one point, it seemed unlikely that the Barcelona captain could play again this season. But having worked hard on his rehabilitation, the German veteran returned to training earlier this month.

In fact, Ter Stegen received his medical discharge this past weekend and was named in the squad for the Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid.

Return to action against Real Valladolid?

Now, according to Toni Juanmarti, Ter Stegen has a chance of making his return to action when Barcelona take on Real Valladolid in La Liga this weekend.

This comes after Barça manager Hansi Flick confirmed that Wojciech Szczesny will continue as the goalkeeper in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals vs Inter Milan.

Ter Stegen has been medically cleared to return. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

For Ter Stegen to play in the continental competition, the Catalans would have to de-register Szczesny, who has been in fine form, and as such that possibility has been ruled out. But Flick did not rule out changing goalkeepers in La Liga, as he said:

“Tek will play in the Champions League and maybe we change in La Liga. We will see that later, but Szczesny will play in the Champions League.”

This opens up the door for Ter Stegen to make his comeback after more than seven months when Barcelona face Valladolid away from home on Saturday night.

Even though the league title is still not secured, Flick is likely to make some big rotations at the weekend, keeping in mind the semi-final second leg vs Inter next week.

It could pave the way for Ter Stegen to reclaim his spot in the starting lineup, at least in La Liga.