Carles Puyol's advice for out of favour Jordi Alba and Gerard Pique

Former Barcelona defender Carles Puyol says Jordi Alba and Gerard Pique have to keep training hard to be ready when their chance comes this season.

Alba started the first game of the season but has not started since, although he came on as a substitute in the win over Sevilla at the weekend.

Alejandro Balde has taken his place in the side in the last three games, while Marcos Alonso has also arrived to provide more competition at left-back.

Pique, meanwhile, has not featured this season following the signings of Jules Kounde and Andreas Christensen.

"How you deal with the role of being a substitute depends on each person," ex-Barça captain said at a padel event in Catalonia on Monday.

"But as the years pass, your perspective changes and you understand you can also helo from off (the pitch). If I didn't play, I could get angry, but in my final year, I told Tata (Martino) not to play me and to pick someone else.

"I thought that (Marc) Bartra needed more minutes in case I could not play. I am sure they will look out for the good of the team.

"I have not spoken with them (Alba and Pique). Players are competitive and winners. They have to train 100%, I am convinced the team will need them. They have to be ray to perform when the team needs them."

On Pique, he added: "He played a lot of games while injured, forcing the issue and you can pay for that. The team has strengthened well in defence, but Pique is a great player and if he is 100% he will be important for the team. He can also contribute a lot in the dressing room with all his experience."