Barcelona injury news: Jeremy Mathieu suffers blow playing for France days before El Clasico

Barcelona manager Luis Enrique has suffered a new blow after Jeremy Mathieu suffered a knee injury during France's 4-2 victory over Russia on Tuesday evening – just four days before the crucial La Liga game against Real Madrid on Saturday (2 April) and with only one week to for the Champions League quarter-final first leg with Atletico Madrid.

The La Liga giants and the national team doctors are yet to provide an official diagnosis on the injury but first reports in his homeland suggest that the Barcelona versatile defender could miss the rest of the season and as well Euro 2016 as he has damaged the meniscus.

Mathieu came on for Juventus left-back Patrick Evra at half-time of the friendly between his national team and Russia at the Stade de France. But the former Valencia star was forced to be replaced by Lucas Digne just eight minutes later after he suffered a problem in his right knee. The Barcelona defender left the pitch limping on his feet but L'Equipe claimed that he suffered a torn medial meniscus which could rule him out for several weeks – with some reports suggesting that he could even need to undergo surgery.

Mathieu's blow come just hours after Barcelona revealed that Adriano is going to miss both the visit of Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid after the Brazilian full-back suffered a muscle injury in his hamstring during a training session.

Both Adriano and Mathieu were expected to start El Clasico on the bench anyway but the news is a new concern for Luis Enrique as the duo serve as back-up for Jordi Alba at left-back – with the second being also the Barcelona third choice centre-back behind Javier Mascherano and Gerard Pique.

Earlier in the week it emerged that Alba himself could also be doubt for El Clasico after the he suffered a problem in his ankle during international duty. Yet, both Mundo Deportivo and Sport have since played down Luis Enrique's fears after they claimed that the Barcelona left-back will be finally ready to host Real Madrid on Saturday.