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Barcelona's Valdés suffers injury setback

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Already shorn of the injured Lionel Messi, FC Barcelona must now plan without Víctor Valdés after the goalkeeper tore a calf muscle on national-team duty with Spain.

Víctor Valdés will be out of action for the rest of the year with a calf injury
Víctor Valdés will be out of action for the rest of the year with a calf injury ©Getty Images

FC Barcelona have lost Víctor Valdés for the rest of the UEFA Champions League group stage after the goalkeeper suffered a right calf muscle tear on international duty with Spain.

The 31-year-old replaced Iker Casillas in the second half of La Roja's 1-0 reverse against South Africa in Johannesburg on Tuesday, but the Barcelona No1 was later carried off in some discomfort. Returning to his club headquarters on crutches on Wednesday, Valdés underwent tests which showed a ruptured calf muscle, ruling him out for six weeks.

The news comes after Lionel Messi was sidelined for Barça's remaining Group H games away to AFC Ajax next Tuesday and at home to Celtic FC on 11 December, the forward having succumbed to a thigh tear. Gerardo Martino's side secured their place in the round of 16 following their 3-1 matchday four home win against AC Milan.  

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