Hamstring tear sidelines Iniesta

Barcelona have announced that key midfielder Andres Iniesta will be out of action for three weeks with a hamstring tear.

The Spain international picked up the injury during the first half of Wednesday night’s Clasico against Real Madrid at Camp Nou, and had be replaced just before the half-hour mark by Pedro.

Barca initially revealed via Twitter that the player had sustained a thigh problem but it was discovered after tests at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper on Thursday that Iniesta had suffered a minor hamstring tear and is now facing three weeks on the sidelines.

Consequently, Barca will now be without one of their key performers for not only the La Liga clashes with Villarreal, Real Sociedad and Osasuna, but also the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie with Bayer Leverkusen on February 14.

Worryingly for Iniesta, this is the fourth time that he has been injured so far this season.

Barca drew 2-2 with holders Real in Wednesday’s Copa del Rey quarter-final second leg, and progress to the semi-finals courtesy of a 4-3 aggregate victory.