Dos Santos eyes first team run

Posted Tuesday, January 10, 2012 by ESPN

Barcelona midfielder Jonathan dos Santos is hoping that he will get a run of games in the absence of Seydou Keita to prove himself to coach Pep Guardiola.

Keita is away on international duty with Mali at the Africa Cup of Nations for at least a month and Dos Santos is eager to use this opportunity to prove himself in the first team set-up at Nou Camp.

A regular with the Barca B team, Dos Santos' sole involvement in the first team is an appearance in the dead rubber Champions League 4-0 win over BATE Borisov and is yet to feature in a competitive La Liga fixture for the Catalans this season.

In the absence of Keita, the 21-year-old will be hoping to impress Guardiola to give him more chances in the future.

Speaking to EFE, the Mexican international said: "I am very excited and hope it's my time. There are many players who could replace [Keita], such as Sergi Roberto.

"But I will be here making the most of every day with my team and working to the maximum.

"I know I'm working well, I'm having a good season and Guardiola knows that he can count of any of us any time he needs me."

Dos Santos impressed with his country in the 2010 World Cup but has been in the fringes of Barcelona's squad ever since, making only six appearances over three years.