Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen will be sidelined until 2024 due to a back injury, according to a source reported by ESPN. The 31-year-old shot-stopper is set to undergo a surgical procedure later this week to address the issue that has kept him out of action for the past two weeks, as announced by the club on Tuesday.

The exact duration of Ter Stegen's absence has not been disclosed by Barcelona. However, a source revealed to ESPN that his aim is to make a return following the Spanish Super Cup, which is scheduled for the middle of January. Reports from other sources suggest that his recovery could extend beyond that timeframe, with a potential comeback targeted for the Champions League knockout rounds in February.

Speaking about his decision to have the surgery, Ter Stegen stated, "After intensive conversations with the medical team of the club and various supporting experts, we decided to undergo a surgical procedure. The break obviously annoys me. It is the right and safe decision to come back in the best conditions for my club and the national team."

Ter Stegen initially joined the German national team during the November international break but returned to Barcelona early due to lower back pain. Since then, his availability for matches has been evaluated on a game-by-game basis, causing him to miss games against Rayo Vallecano, FC Porto, and Atlético Madrid.

As a result, 24-year-old Iñaki Peña has stepped in as Ter Stegen's replacement for the last three games and now looks set for an extended period in goal for Barcelona. Peña, who joined the club in 2012 and served a loan spell with Galatasaray in 2022, impressed with his performances in the recent victory over Atlético, making crucial saves late in the match.

One consequence of Ter Stegen's injury has been the inclusion of American goalkeeper Diego Kochen in the squad for the games against Porto and Rayo. Kochen, aged 17, recently recovered from an injury and was named as one of the backup keepers alongside Ander Astralaga.

Barcelona's upcoming fixture is against surprise LaLiga leaders Girona, which is scheduled to take place on Sunday at the Olympic Stadium.