MADRID, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona goalkeeper Marc Andre Ter Stegen has been forced to abandon the squad that is currently contesting the Spanish Supercup in the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah, and return to Spain due to injury.
Ter Stegen suffered his injury in Tuesday night's training session in the King Abdullah Sports City complex as his side was preparing for Wednesday's semi-final against Athletic Club Bilbao.
"Marc Andre Ter Stegen has abandoned the team's training camp in Jeddah to return to Barcelona for tests," confirmed the club on social media, without explaining what the issue was.
The goalkeeper missed the opening months of the season after needing a back operation in the summer, returning to action in the Copa del Rey win in Guadalajara in mid-December.
He has lost his place in the Barcelona starting 11 to summer arrival Joan Garcia and Barcelona coach Hansi Flick had already confirmed before Ter Stegen's injury that Garcia would play against Athletic.
Ter Stegen has been linked with a possible loan deal to Girona as he looks to accumulate game time in order to be at the World Cup finals with Germany, but if his new injury proves to be serious, that could derail the move. ■
