Barcelona left-back Jordi Alba withdraws from Spain squad with muscle injury

Barcelona have a new injury worry after Jordi Alba suffered a muscle issue during Spain's 1-1 draw with Italy on Thursday (6 October). Manager Luis Enrique is thus left sweating over the left-back's availability for upcoming games, with a La Liga clash against Deportivo la Coruna on 15 October coming just four days before the crunch Champions League encounter with Manchester City.

Alba was replaced by Real Madrid's Nacho in the 22nd minute at Juventus Stadium after suffering an injury to his left leg. Spain boss Julen Lopetegui suggested after the game Alba could miss the next World Cup qualifier against Albania on Sunday, and now the worst fears of fans have been confirmed.

"Jordi Alba, FC Barcelona footballer, will depart to Spain this morning, after tests confirmed he suffered an muscular injury on his left thigh." the Spanish football Federation has confirmed.

Meanwhile, the Catalans are yet to provide any update on the conditions of Lionel Messi, Samuel Umtiti and Ivan Rakitic.

Messi has missed the last three games, against Sporting Gijon, Borussia Monchengladbach and Celta Vigo, after sustaining an injury in his right abductor during the draw with Atletico Madrid on 21 September.

Reports in Spain earlier this week claimed that the Argentine had already started light training in a bid to be ready for the encounter with Manchester City, with him expected to some minutes against Deportivo to regain match fitness.

Umtiti's situation is similar. The French centre-back has been out of action since suffering an internal ligament strain to his left knee in preparation for the game with Atletico Madrid. However, reports in Spain have claimed that he is making good progress in his rehabilitation and could be back available to face Deportivo and City.

Meanwhile, Rakitic withdrew from the Croatia squad with an Achilles tendon injury. The national team ruled him out for around 10 days before Barcelonaadded "his availability for the training sessions will depend on how the recovery process progresses". However, even in a worst case scenario the former Sevilla midfielder is expected to be back for the return of Pep Guardiola to the Nou Camp on 19 October.