Javier Mascherano, out for four weeks with hamstring injury
The Argentine suffered the problem in Argentina's friendly defeat by Nigeria
Pique and Samuel Umtiti are on four yellow cards each and at suspension risk
Bad news for Barcelona. The FIFA virus has struck, with Javier Mascherano injured in the friendly defeat for Argentina against Nigeria (4-2) on Tuesday.
Barcelona released a statement saying the defender "suffered a hamstring rupture in his right leg that will keep him out approximately for a month", which would stop him featuring in six games. He will not face Leganes, Valencia, Celta Vigo and Villarreal in La Liga, as well as missing Copa del Rey game against Murcia and Champions League game against Real Madrid.
In theory he might then return to play Deportivo on December 17 and be fully fit to play Real Madrid in the Clasico on December 23.
The problem is that if Pique or Umtiti gets another booking in La Liga they will be suspended and Barcelona have to turn to Thomas Vermaelen.
