csconstantine.com

VALENCIA, Spain (AP)—Valencia goalkeeper Vicente Guaita has signed a three-year contract extension that ties him to the Spanish club until 2015.

The 24-year-old Guaita never relinquished his starting position after getting the nod in November following injuries to Cesar Sanchez and Miguel Angel Moya.

Guaita came up through Valencia’s youth ranks and helped the club to a third-place finish in the league standings this season. He allowed 26 goals in 21 appearances.

Guaita’s spot as starting keeper is not definite, however, with Valencia having signed Brazil goalkeeper Diego Alves from Almeria. Moya is also signed through the 2012-13 season.

Guaita says, “I’ve got to keep working so I don’t lose my starting spot.”

Labels: contract, goalkeeper, Guaita, signs, Valencia

BARCELONA, Spain (AP)—Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola may miss his team’s Spanish league match at Valencia due to lower back pain.

The Spanish champions say Guardiola missed training Tuesday to undergo treatment for the problem and may not make the trip to Valencia on Wednesday. Assistant coach Tito Vilanova will take charge if the 40-year-old Guardiola is unable to make it.

While Guardiola was absent from training, Xavi Hernandez continued his recovery from a leg injury. Defender Carles Puyol and goalkeeper Victor Valdes again trained separately with next week’s Champions League match against Arsenal in mind.

Barcelona goes to third-place Valencia with a seven-point lead over Real Madrid.

Labels: force, Guardiola, Valencia