Rustu regret over Barca switch

The Turkish international custodian has found himself playing second fiddle to youngster Victor Valdes at Camp Nou this term, and is growing increasingly frustrated at his situation.

The 30-year-old explained that he was persuaded to join Barca after a conversation with president Joan Laporta in which he was assured of a place in the team.

"For this reason (talking to Laporta) I signed, because I was thinking about playing for a club like Barcelona," stated the former Fenerbahce star.

However, manager Frank Rijkaard opted initially to play Valdes, after claiming Rustu's inability to speak Spanish could cause communication problems in his team's backline, and has stuck by the young custodian ever since.

"All players want to play when they arrive at a team and I don't believe anybody would sign for a team if they knew they were not going to play," continued Rustu.

"I am a professional though and at the moment the manager is using this system and I must respect it."

The Turk, who was recently linked with a loan move to Galatasaray, concedes that he will consider his future in Spain if he does not force his way into Rijkaard's plans soon as he fears not playing could endanger his place in the Turkey side, especially with next summer's Euro 2004 finals in mind.

"I am thinking about the national team. If the team qualify for the European Championships I can see the danger of not playing.

"I am going to wait as long as possible in order to try everything, and when I get an opportunity I shall try to do well to succeed in this team.

"It's not in my hands however, but in the manager's.

"It would not be right to put a date on it (how long before I would move), and what's more it's not right to focus on whether or not I'm playing, but on the team as a whole because we are not on the right road at present."