Barcelona defender Gerard Pique is reportedly ready to ignore advice from the club’s medical team to rest in order to play in the team’s La Liga clash with Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.

Pique has been advised to take a week off after suffering discomfort in his calf at the end of Barcelona’s opening La Liga game of the season against Real Sociedad on Sunday, according to Catalunya Radio.

However, the central defender, who missed large chunks of last season with a knee problem, has trained normally this week and wants to play in Sunday’s fixture at San Mames.

Pique started alongside Eric Garcia in central defense in the 4-2 win over La Real and scored the game’s opening goal with a header from a free-kick into the penalty area from Memphis Depay.

Coach Ronald Koeman will announce his matchday squad for the trip to Athletic on Friday and could provide an update on Pique’s condition at his pre-match press conference.