Abidal out for two months

(GSM) – Media reports in Spain indicate that Barcelona’s French defender, Eric Abidal, will miss the next two months due to a torn leg muscle.

Abidal, 30, had to come off midway through the first half of Saturday’s 2-1 La Liga win over Getafe, and scans on Tuesday proved worse than previously thought by club personnel.

The injury to Abidal’s left leg will mean he may be able to return by the start of April at the absolute earliest. Barça currently sit five points above Real Madrid at the top of the La Liga table.

Abidal’s injury leaves manager Pep Guardiola with massive problems in defense for this weekend against Atlético Madrid as Rafa Márquez and Gerard Piqué (suspension), and Dani Alves and Yaya Touré (injury) are already ruled out.

Guardiola will call in two youth players, Marc Bartra and Andreu Fontàs, from Barcelona’s youth squad to fill the holes in the team. Carles Puyol, Dmytro Chygrinskiy, Gabi Milito and Maxwell are the only healthy first-team players that have experience playing in defense.