Muscle injury sidelines Barca stopper Bartra for 3 weeks

Bartra's loss is added to that of Adrian Coreira, who is also sidelined with a muscle injury and means that the club's problems in defence continue, reports Xinhua.

The former B�'team player burst into the first team scene with a series of assured performances over the past month in which he has provided much needed cover for the injuries suffered by Spain internationals Gerard Pique and Carlos Puyol.

Pique returned to action eight days ago as Barcelona won in Mallorca while Puyol made his return to action in the 3�'1 home win against Zaragoza Saturday night.

Bartra's injury happened during the club's Sunday morning training session before coach Tito Vilanova named his squad for this week's Champions League tie way to Spartak Moscow in which Barca need just a point to ensure their progress into the second round.

His absence once again leaves Vilanova short of substitutes in defence for the next three weeks and the Barca coach will keep his fingers crossed that neither Pique nor Puyol suffer any relapses in their forthcoming matches.