FCBARCELONA.CAT

09.11.2009 11:41

Six missing for Cup preparations

www.fcbarcelona.cat

Monday morning’s training session was marked by the absence of Chygrynskiy, Abidal, Henry and Touré (international duty) plus Ibrahimovic and Keita (injury).

It’s an unusual week for Barça. The league programme has been put on hold to accommodate a number of international matches but in the meantime the Spanish Cup continues and on Tuesday evening Barça face the second leg of their Cup tie against Cultural Leonesa.

International call-up

Chygrynskiy, Abidal, Henry and Touré are all unavailable for Tuesday’s match because of international commitments.

Touré joins the rest of his Ivory Coast team-mates for a World Cup qualifier against Guinea safe in the knowledge that his country has already booked its place in South Africa. Meanwhile, Chygrynskiy (Ukraine against Greece) and Abidal and Henry, (France against Ireland) are in involved in vital qualifying playoffs.

Keita knee injury

Also missing from training today was Mali international Seydou Keita. He struggled through the closing minutes of the victory over Mallorca with a knock to his left knee and further tests on Monday morning confirmed some damage to the ligaments.

Club doctors have recommended rest in Barcelona for the next ten days or so.

Finally, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who also picked up an injury against Mallorca, will be sidelined for about a week.

Reserves join session

In view of the number of senior players missing, Guardiola included three players from the reserves in today’s session: Jonathan dos Santos, Andreu Fontàs and Oriol Romeu.