Guardiola dismisses Xavi’s injury claims

(GSM) – Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola has dismissed claims that playing star midfielder Xavi will risk him on missing out the World Cup.

The 30-year-old, despite carrying a muscle injury to his leg, played through the pain in the Catalan’s weekend win at Villarreal.

While rumours have suggested that Xavi’s injury could rule him out of this summer’s World Cup in South Africa, Guardiola has moved to quash such talk.

“I don’t want him to get injured, but Xavi knows his body well and reckoned he was all right to turn out,” he said.

“Make no mistake, we both want him to be fit for the World Cup.”

Barca are currently locked in a race with arch-rivals Real Madrid for the Primera Division title.

The Catalans currently lead Los Merengues by one point, with just three games remaining.

Guardiola’s side tale on Tenerife on Tuesday in another crunch clash.