The 26-year-old forward has suffered problems following an operation in January, and missed Saturday's victory to visit a specialist.

BBC: Emanuel Pogatetz

The German space agency (DLR), one of the "big two" in European space, is already pushing forward on a programme of scientific co-operation.

BBC: China in space: Running fast to catch up

"Our proposal for closer co-operation is a competitive response to the changing and challenging market environment and marks a step forward in our efforts to progress consolidation in Europe, " BA chief Rod Eddington and Iberia's chairman Xavier de Irala said in a joint statement.

BBC: BA and Iberia forge closer links