Barcelona suffer double injury blow with key duo set for spell on the sidelines

Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia could miss up to six weeks due to a knee injury while playmaker Raphinha will also not play for the Liga champions prior to the next international break.

Garcia, who joined Barca from city rivals Espanyol in a controversial move over the summer and has quickly established himself as the number one at the club, suffered the setback in training and will now miss a series of important games.

Raphinha sustained a thigh injury in the 3-1 win at Oviedo last night with his estimated recovery time set at around three weeks.

Barca are, therefore, unlikely to see the Brazilian in action until after the next international break.

The news on Garcia is even more disappointing for Barca boss Hansi Flick. The 24-year-old has been ruled out until early November, meaning he will miss the upcoming clash with Paris Saint-Germain in the Champins League and the season’s first Clasico.

Barca head to the Santiago Bernabeu to face Real Madrid on October 26 but Garcia won’t be present.

A club statement read: “Player Joan García has suffered a tear of the internal meniscus in his left knee. Tomorrow, he will undergo arthroscopic surgery performed by Dr. Joan Carles Monllau. The estimated recovery time is between 4 and 6 weeks, depending on his progress.”

Wojciech Szczęsny will deputise but Barca will be short in experienced back-up with Marc-Andre ter Stegen also currently sidelined.

In better news for the Catalan giants, Lamine Yamal is due to return from injury for Sunday’s game against Real Sociedad.