Larsson laid low for Barça

Henrik Larsson became the latest FC Barcelona player to pick up a serious injury this season when he tore cartilage in his left knee during the 3-0 win against Real Madrid CF on Saturday night. The Swedish striker, whose misfortune follows injuries to team-mates Gabri Garcia, Thiago Motta, Sylvinho, Edmílson, Albert Jorquera, Gerard López and Ludovic Giuly, will be out for at least six weeks.

Condition aggravated
Larsson was carried off early in the game after taking a blow to his left knee but reappeared after treatment. However, the 33-year-old merely aggravated his condition and was carried off in obvious pain 20 minutes from time. Tests conducted this morning revealed a loose flap of cartilage in the player's left knee and Larsson will require keyhole surgery on Monday to trim and extract the torn tissue.

Further worries
Barça medical staff, who fear tomorrow's operation may also reveal a stretched anterior cruciate ligament, have informed coach Frank Rijkaard the striker will be unavailable until the new year at the earliest, ruling him out of the forthcoming UEFA Champions League matches against Celtic FC and FC Shakhtar Donetsk.