noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
substitute player; reserve
Refers to a player on a sports team who is not in the starting lineup but is available to replace another player during a game.
彼はまだ控え選手だが、いつかレギュラーになりたいと思っている。
He is still a substitute player, but he hopes to become a regular someday.
The team turned the game around thanks to the performance of the reserve players.