FC Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez will be out of action for between a week and 10 days as he recovers from a calf injury.
The Spain and Barcelona playmaker has a small muscle tear in his left calf, meaning Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola will have to reorganize his midfield for at least the next two games.
Xavi will miss Saturday's BBVA Primera Liga game away to Mallorca and although he said this Wednesday that he hoped to recover in time, he is also doubtful for the midweek league fixture away to third placed Valencia.
Xavi will almost certainly be fit to play at home to Zaragoza on March 5, just three days ahead of their vital Champions League return tie against Arsenal.
Barcelona need to overturn a 2-1 defeat they suffered away to Arsenal last week in London and Xavi is vital to their plans.
Guardiola has several options to cover Xavi's absence, with the most likely being the entry of Seydou Keita into his starting 11, although Javier Mascherano and youngster Thiago Alcantara also have options of starting.
Xavi's injury comes at a bad time as Carles Puyol is also sidelined with a calf problem, while first choice goalkeeper Victor Valdes has a knee problem and defender Dani Alves is suspended for the trip to Mallorca.
