Ankle Injury Keeping Victor San Bartolomé On The Sidelines
Victor San Bartolomé has yet to play this preseason with an ankle injury (AC)
The promotions of Oihan Sancet and Unai Vencedor left major holes in the Bilbao Athletic team. Both were key players for the Kumeak last year and their absences will force others to step up. Several starlets are poised to take on more important roles this season, including Victor San Bartolomé. However, injuries continue to be an issue for the 20-year-old.
Last season San Bartolomé was hampered by numerous muscle injuries and was in and out of the team. “He’s not finding that continuity,” manager Joseba Etxeberria said a few months ago. “When he has participated the performances have been very good, but he’s not stringing together several days in a row due to injuries.”
San Bartolomé is the player most prepared to take over for Sancet, but is again dealing with injuries. The 20-year-old has yet to play a single friendly so far this summer with an ankle injury, but hopes to be cleared soon. In fact, San Bartolomé could be cleared for the opening game of the season on 18 October, per Javier Beltrán of El Correo.
Since joining Lezama in 2009, Victor San Bartolomé has always been a standout player in his age group. Going into his third full season with Bilbao Athletic, the versatile midfielder hopes to put injuries behind him and become a key player under manager Joseba Etxeberria.