Kevin-Prince Boateng disappears after debut for Barcelona

Since signing for the club in January, Kevin-Prince Boateng has only featured in one match for Barcelona so far.

That came just one day after being officially presented by the club as he started away at Sevilla in the first leg of their Copa del Rey quarter-final.

Five games have followed and the return of Luis Suarez has seen the 31-year-old dropped back to the bench, where he has stayed since being replaced, 63 minutes into the game, at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

Ernesto Valverde explained that using him against the Andalusians was a decision he had to take, and Boateng has acknowledged that he knew he wasn't signed to be a starter.

The Ghanaian didn't get to play in neither of Barcelona's last two draws, at home to Valencia and away at Athletic Club, as the Blaugrana were looking for a match-winning goal.

Barcelona host Real Valladolid on Saturday in what could be Boateng's opportunity to prove himself as a reliable backup to Luis Suarez.