Barcelona hopeful over Joao Cancelo knee injury
Barcelona are hopeful that full-back Joao Cancelo has avoided a serious injury and could even return to the team in time for the Supercopa de Espana next week.
Cancelo went down just 11 minutes into the 2-1 win over Las Palmas on Thursday and there were immediate fears that he may have suffered an ACL injury which would likely end his season early.
Manager Xavi, however, quickly confirmed after the game: «Joao Cancelo’s knee injury doesn’t look serious. We hope it’s just a knock, we will know more tomorrow about it.»
Barcelona diagnosed Cancelo with a «strained medial collateral ligament» and reports suggest he is now only facing a handful of weeks on the sidelines.
Cancelo will miss Sunday's Copa del Rey clash with Barbastro but state there is some optimism that the Portugal international could make it back for the Supercopa next week.
Barcelona will face Osasuna in the semi-final on Thursday 11 January, one week after Cancelo suffered the injury, with the final due to take place three days later. Should Barca make it to that stage, they will face either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid.
Without Cancelo, Xavi will likely task one of his centre-backs with shifting out wide. Ronald Araujo has been the usual deputy at full-back but Jules Kounde is also capable of playing as a full-back.
There are also hopes that midfielder Pedri will make it back from injury in time to feature in the Supercopa, while centre-back Inigo Martinez is understood to be fit already but will not be risked against Barbastro.
Gavi, Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Marcos Alonso all remain sidelined for Xavi's side.
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