Barcelona goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen suffers ankle injury on international duty

Jasper Cillessen has withdrawn from the Netherlands squad for the World Cup qualifier against France after the goalkeeper suffered an ankle injury. Spanish daily AS said Cillessen, 27, had sprained his ankle during training on 8 October.

He is the third Barcelona player to have picked up an injury during the international break – Spain internationals Jordi Alba and Sergi Roberto have both suffered muscle injuries.

Cillessen was an unused substitute in Holland's 4-1 win over Belarus in Rotterdam on 7 October. The former Ajax goalkeeper has played only one match for Barcelona this season – the 2-1 defeat against Deportivo Alaves at Camp Nou on 10 September.

He is a doubt for the Catalan club's home game against Deportivo La Coruna scheduled for 15 October and the Champions League clash against Manchester City four days later.

Barcelona are already without the services of Lionel Messi and Samuel Umtiti, who are both sidelined with injuries.

Messi has missed the club's last three matches – the wins over Sporting Gijon and Borussia Monchengladbach and the defeat against Celta Vigo – with a calf injury, while Umtiti has been out of action for more than two weeks due to a knee problem.

Midfielder Ivan Rakitic told Catalan daily Sport that it was "very different" for Barcelona to play without Messi.

"It's very different [the team with and without Messi] – one is nothing like the other," he said.

"We know the importance Leo has for us, but there's a squad and we have to continue moving forward. But it's very different playing without Leo – you don't have to be very smart to know that."

Both Messi and Umtiti have reportedly returned to light training and could feature against Deportivo La Coruna.

Barcelona are fourth in La Liga, two points behind leaders Atletico Madrid. They lead the Champions League Group C after wins against Celtic and Monchengladbach and face Manchester City at Camp Nou on 19 October.