FC Barcelona have confirmed another injury to their depleted squad ahead of El Clasico.
According to AS, star defender Jules Kounde could be out for up to four weeks as the result of his knock picked up against Granada on Sunday evening.
Kounde had an evening to forget at the Nuevo Estadio de Los Carmenes, in Spain’s late night kick off.
The hosts went 2-0 up within 29 minutes, and he was nutmegged by Bryan Zaragoza for the second strike of an impressive brace which left the Frenchman and goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen floored.
To add insult to injury, the soon-to-be-capped Spaniard cut back inside and smashed his effort into the top corner with the outside of his left foot.
Not long after, Kounde was again on the turf and taking his shinpads out in disgust.
He knew he would have to leave the action prematurely, substituted by Ronald Araujo on the orders of Xavi Hernandez, after picking up an injury which the club confirmed early Monday afternoon.
“Tests carried out have shown that first team player Jules Kounde has a left MCL sprain. He is out and his recovery will determine his availability,” a statement published on Twitter read.
As per usual, the official correspondence did not give a timeframe for when Kounde could be seen in action once more.
According to AS, though, Kounde, who will obviously not play for France over the international break, could be out for a “minimum of four weeks” which eliminates him from El Clasico.
Currently three points behind their bitter rivals at the top of the table, Barca host Real Madrid at the Montjuic Stadium on October 28 in a clash that could potentially decide the title race come spring.
Much to Xavi’s frustration, Kounde joins other key players such as Frenkie de Jong, Raphinha, Robert Lewnadowski and Pedri on the sick list.
While the first four mentioned individuals have no chance of featuring in El Clasico, however, Pedri is in a race against time and could be available for selection if there are no further setbacks.
Ahead of the Madrid meeting, Barca also have important home matches against Athletic Club in La Liga and Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.
