La Liga giants Barcelona are sweating over their weakened options in defense after it was confirmed that Thomas Vermaelen had injured his adductor muscle while playing for Belgium during their UEFA Nations League win over Switzerland.
The club tweeted: MEDICAL REPORT: Thomas Vermaelen has a right hamstring injury. More details forthcoming.
Vermaelen will be on the sidelines for a period of six weeks.
His injury is a blow to Barcelona who are also devoid of the services of Frenchman Samuel Umtiti who is out with a severe knee injury and is expected to be unavailable until next year.
Barça have just two central defenders ahead of a tough run of games against Sevilla, Inter Milan , Real Madrid, Real Betis and Atlético Madrid.
Coach Ernesto Valverde will be forced to pair out of form defender Gerard Piqué with the relatively inexperienced ex-Sevilla man Clément Lenglet in defense and at the same time hope he does not suffer any setbacks in that department.
Academy prospect Jorge Cuenca could be promoted to the first team as he is seen as the candidate with the best chances to cover Vermaelen’s and Umtiti’s absence.
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