Barcelona have turned to one of La Masia's brightest goalkeeping prospects as Hansi Flick prepares for the possibility of being without Joan Garcia against Sevilla .
According to SPORT , 18-year-old Iker Rodriguez was called up for first-team training on Friday, with the teenager now in line to travel to the Sanchez Pizjuan if Garcia is left out of the squad.
Garcia picked up discomfort in his knee during the 7-2 win over Racing Santander and, although examinations did not reveal anything serious , Barcelona are expected to avoid taking unnecessary risks with one of Flick's key players.
Meanwhile, Iker Rodriguez has already worked with Flick's senior squad on several occasions, including last season and the campaign before, when he was still a first-year youth player.
Iker Rodriguez has trained under Hansi Flick ahead of Sevilla match. (Picture credit: Instagram/@ikerrodriguez.01)
He was also part of Barcelona's first-team pre-season tour this summer following the departure of Ander Astralaga and Aron Yaakobishvili, giving him further exposure to the senior setup.
Rodriguez has made an excellent start to the current season with Barça Atlètic. He kept clean sheets in each of the side's opening two league matches and has impressed with his composure despite being only 18.
Barcelona are also working to finalise a contract renewal for the goalkeeper, which shows the club's long-term plans for him.
Should Garcia's absence be confirmed, Rodriguez is expected to travel with the squad to Seville as the third-choice goalkeeper.
Flick might opt to leave out Joan Garcia this weekend. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Notably, Wojciech Szczesny replaced Garcia after half-time against Racing and is expected to retain his place if the first-choice goalkeeper is rested, while summer signing Dominik Livakovic will be Flick's second choice.
The decision would allow Barcelona to protect Garcia while still having two senior options available between the posts.
Lastly, there is also a plan for Rodriguez to return to Barça Atlètic after the weekend fixture.
As such, the teenager is expected to be with the reserve side in Barbastro on Sunday, assuming he travels to Seville with Flick's squad first.
