Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola says Victor Valdes' knee injury is not as serious as first feared.
Guardiola says injury is not as bad
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has revealed that the knee injury to first-choice goalkeeper Victor Valdes is not as serious as first feared.
Guardiola has stated that the shot-stopper would not be out for six weeks as first thought.
Valdes, 29, missed Sunday's 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao with a complaint in his left knee and, after initial reports suggested he would be out for six to eight weeks, the Spain international is now expected to return in three weeks.
"It looks like he (Valdes) will not be out for one or two months," Guardiola said.
"In any case we have (Jose Manuel) Pinto who has always done well and is an excellent goalkeeper."
Fitness race
Valdes still faces a fitness race to face Arsenal in the second leg of the Champions League last 16 tie at Camp Nou on 8th March.
For now, veteran goalkeeper Jose Manuel Pinto, 35, will deputise between the posts but said he expects Valdes to return soon.
"He (Valdes) is fine. He's got some minor problems with his knee, but he's in great spirits," said Pinto.
"We're all prepared for when the boss needs us, and this year I am getting more chances to play. I'll be at 100 per cent."
