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Barca suffer injury blow, key-player reportedly out for weeks

Coutinho, Barcelona
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Barcelona have been handed an injury blow after latest reports suggest that Philippe Coutinho could be ruled out until mid-November at least.

Philippe Coutinho could be out for a while going by the latest reports.

The Brazilian suffered a hamstring injury in Barca’s 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid at the weekend. He was able to complete that game though.

Barcelona refused to give a timescale for the injury and simply stated that it depends on how the injury progresses’.

It appears Brazil’s doctors have now assessed Coutinho as well and have been able to put a timescale of some sort.

As quoted by Goal, Brazil national side doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said: “there is not enough time for the recovery of the player for his participation in the next two rounds of [2022 World Cup] qualifiers”.

That would effectively rule out Coutinho for the next couple of weeks at the very least.

As per the same report, Brazil have now called up Lyon’s Lucas Paqueta in his place for the fixtures against Venezuela and Uruguay on November 13 and 17.

Coutinho has looked promising since making his return to Barcelona after his loan stint with Bayern Munich last term.

His latest injury could come as a blow for Barcelona and more importantly ruin his momentum after he was already gaining the trust of Ronald Koeman.

A possible return for Coutinho could be the 22nd of November when Barcelona travel to Madrid to face rivals Atletico in La Liga.

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