First team doctor Ricard Pruna has confirmed that Ronaldinho will not be fit in time to make the trip to Mallorca for Saturday’s game. The Brazilian who is suffering from an inflamed tendon in the left knee will continue his particular recuperation plan in the hope of being fit next week.
Thierry Henry (migraine) and Gianluca Zambrotta (heavy cold) have both recovered and both trained normally today, they are both in line for a return to the team this Saturday. Leo Messi continues with his recuperation and is aiming to return on the 20th January when Barça play hosts to Racing Santander. Meanwhile, Oleguer Presas is expected to need another week to completely recover from his hamstring injury.
Albert Jorquera underwent surgery this afternoon and doctors were surprised to find he has not only torn cruciate ligaments but also a damaged meniscus. The period of recovery is still expected to be six months, so Jorquera will not play again this season.
The speculation continues as to which goalkeeper will be signed as his replacement. Today the local press are talking about Sander Westerveld, Jose Manuel Pinto and Sergio Asenjo. The 33-year-old Westerveld is currently without a team but has previously kept goal for Liverpool, Mallorca and Real Sociedad among others. Pinto plays for 2nd division Celta but has experience in the Primera Division. While 18-year-old Asenjo is currently sustitute goalkeeper at Valladolid. I won’t mention any more speculation on the goalkeeping front until something looks a bit more concrete.
3 responses so far ↓
Cule // Jan 4, 2008 at 0:09
Nic,
Again, thanks for taking the time to bring us the news!
I certainly remember watching Westerveld in his time with Liverpool and was a big fan of his at the time (though he was capable of the odd howler). I do question, though, whether he would now have the consistency and agility required at Primera level in general, and absolutely for a team of our caliber. Clearly, this is a short-term signing, but isn’t this rather a risky strategy, especially given the grumblings of the fans at present? How long has he been without a team and has he been training in the interim?
I must confess I find that this latest news unsettles me still further and and my stomach has begun twitching irritably.
blaugrana // Jan 4, 2008 at 3:32
Ronaldinho now i think is constricted to playing in the camp nou but it will be interesting to see who the boss will field in the midfield,messi’s position i feel is’nt cover’d too because giovanni can’t do the damage messi does on the right…. I’am starting to miss guily
Titi186 // Jan 4, 2008 at 14:22
At last. Henry and Eto’o in the same team! Its a shame that we dont get to see them play with the service of Messi and Ronnie (at his prime). Looks we’ll have to do with just Iniesta’s creativity (which isn’t that bad lol!).
Again though Barca are not at their best and it will be a tough trip in which we will have to score early otherwise Mallorca at home and gain confidence. I see another Getafe away game coming unless Rijkard gets the tactics right….
Have a ood new year to everyone on here and thanks again to Nic for posting all the news as soon as it gets out!!
Titi186
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