Inaki Pena says he is 'ready' to replace injured Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen if called upon again.
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Ter Stegen picks up back injuryPena starts for Barca at VallecanoKeeper ready to play again if neededGetty Images WHAT HAPPENED?
First-choice stopper ter Stegen picked up a back injury on international duty with Germany earlier this month, forcing him to miss Barca's 1-1 draw with Rayo Vallecano on Saturday. Pena was called into the starting XI and produced a solid display in between the sticks in what was only his fifth appearance for the club. Now, the 24-year-old says he is ready to be called upon by manager Xavi ahead of their Champions League clash with FC Porto on Tuesday.
AdvertisementGettyWHAT INAKI PENA SAID
Pena said, via Mundo Deportivo: “I am very happy to be able to add minutes this season. I am ready to play and I will wait to see what the manager [Xavi] decides."
Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Ter Stegen has been Barcelona's number one for nearly a decade now and the German international has proven to be a key player for the club. The 31-year-old tweeted he would be "coming back soon" on Friday so it seems he will be back in action in the not so distant future. Whether that means Pena, who has been with Barcelona since the age of 13, will get more game time when ter Stegen is back fit remains to be seen.
WHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA?
After taking on Porto in midweek, Barcelona host Atletico Madrid at Camp Nou on Sunday in La Liga. It remains to be seen if Pena will be required.