MADRID, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona have had their worst fears confirmed over the knee injury suffered by goalkeeper, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, with the news that the German international has suffered a torn patella tendon in his right knee.
Barcelona published a medical update on their official website on Monday morning, informing that: "Tests carried out on the first team player Marc-Andre ter Stegen confirm that he has a complete rupture of the patella tendon in his right knee," adding that "on Monday afternoon he will undergo a surgical process and once complete a new update will be released."
Ter Stegen had to leave the field in the Estadio de la Ceramica at the end of the first half of Barca's 5-1 win away to Villarreal on Sunday night.
He landed awkwardly after catching a Villarreal corner and was carried off the pitch and taken to hospital in nearby Castellon, while Inaki Pena replaced him in goal.
Pena, who stood in when Ter Stegen was injured in the same knee last season, is likely to be first choice for Barca for the foreseeable future, but the club could look to sign a replacement, which they would be allowed to do under La Liga regulations. ■
