Suarez 'dying' to play again - Iniesta

The midfielder says his new team-mate is desperate to play again as he continues to serve a four-month suspension for biting Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup

Andres Iniesta has revealed Luis Suarez's frustration at being unable to make his Barcelona debut and says he is "dying" to start his career with the club.

Suarez was handed a four-month suspension for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini while on international duty for Uruguay at this summer's World Cup.

However, that didn't stop Barcelona from shelling out €88 million to buy the striker from Liverpool, despite the fact he will be unable to play again until October.

"I have spoken to him, he is dying to begin," Iniesta said on Monday.

Suarez was in Lausanne, Switzerland on Friday, where he gave a statement to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in a bid to have his punishment halved, which would see him return at the end of August.

Iniesta also reserved special praise for another new recruit, Ivan Rakitic, who is set to play alongside the Spain international at the heart of Barca's new-look midfield after arriving from Sevilla.

"His quality has not surprised me. We all know how good he is and we are delighted to have him here. He is physically very strong and can dominate in both halves of the pitch."