Coutinho facing up to three weeks out with hamstring injury
Barcelona could be without Philippe Coutinho for the crunch LaLiga clash against Atlético de Madrid after he suffered a hamstring injury.
Philippe Coutinho is facing up to three weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, Barcelona have confirmed. The Brazil international completed 90 minutes in Barça's 1-1 draw with Inter Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday but was in some discomfort by the final whistle.
Hamstring tear
A statement released by Barcelona read: "Tests undertaken on Thursday morning have confirmed that Philippe Coutinho has a small rupture in the femoral biceps of his left leg. He will be out for approximately two to three weeks."
Games Coutinho will miss
The prognosis rules Coutinho out of this weekend's LaLiga meeting with Real Betis and Brazil's forthcoming UK-based friendlies against Uruguay and Cameroon. Ernesto Valverde's men face a crunch clash with title rivals Atlético de Madrid when LaLiga resumes on 24 November and that game is likely to be Coutinho's target for his return.
The former Liverpool man has become an increasingly influential figure at Barcelona since joining in January and has five goals this season, including the opener in their 5-1 Clásico demolition of Real Madrid.
Barça are three points clear of city rivals Espanyol at the top of the table after 11 matches, with Atleti four points behind the champions in fourth.