By DPA
Madrid : Troubled Spanish giants Barcelona will need to look for another goalkeeper in the January transfer window, following injury to their reserve keeper Albert Jorquera.
Jorquera broke the cruciate ligament in his right knee in Saturday’s 1-1 draw between the regional sides of Catalonia and the Basque Country, played in Bilbao.
Spanish media are reporting that Barca are interested in promising young Argentine keeper Oscar Ustari, who has hardly played for Getafe since joining them from Independiente in August.
Jorquera was stretchered off after just 14 minutes of play in Bilbao. An hour later the cruciate ligament injury – which will keep him out for around six months – was confirmed.
Ironically, Jorquera was playing in the friendly as Víctor Valdes, Barca’s first choice keeper, dropped out because of a rib injury.
Over the Christmas break most of Spain’s autonomous communities organise a team and play friendlies against other regions or proper national teams.
The match between Basque and Catalan, held in the historic Athletic Bilbao’s Estadio San Mames, was watched by 39,000 fans.
Both teams walked out for the match with flags demanding that they be recognised by FIFA as official national sides, allowed to compete in international tournaments.
These claims are also supported by the Basque and Catalan regional governments. Juan Jose Ibarretxe, president of the Basque regional government was present at the game.