MADRID, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona have suffered an important injury setback with the confirmation that central defender Andreas Christensen will be out of action for several weeks with a problem in his Achilles tendon.
The Dane, who has also played in central midfield, took no part in Barca's narrow 2-1 win at home to Athletic Club Bilbao on Saturday, with the club publishing a statement saying he is suffering "tendonitis in left Achilles."
The usual time for recovery from this problem is around six weeks, which means Christensen is unlikely to play before October and his injury comes at a delicate moment, with Ronald Araujo already sidelined after an operation on his hamstring.
That leaves Barca with just Inigo Martinez, Eric Garcia and 17-year-old Pau Cubarsi as their only fit central defenders, with Martinez suffering a worrying history of muscle problems in recent seasons.
Jules Kounde can also play in central defense, but has spent the past couple of years playing as a right back.
However, Christensen's injury has further significance, given that Barcelona still need to reduce their wage bill in order to be able to inscribe new players in their squad. The central defender was seen as a player Barca could move on to raise much-needed funds and lower their wage bill.
Now that with the injury, it's very unlikely for him to leave before the transfer window closes at the end of August, making it more likely that Garcia could have to make way instead, leaving Barca looking very short of options at the back. ■
