Barcelona receive Pau Cubarsi update after Spain injury

Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has eased fears over a potential significant injury for Barcelona centre-back Pau Cubarsi.

The teenage defender started Spain's 2-2 draw with the Netherlands in Thursday's Nations League quarter-final first leg, but failed to complete the first half after a tough challenge from Memphis Depay ultimately saw him succumb to an ankle injury.

With just two months remaining in the domestic campaign, any injury could now bring an abrupt end to a player's season, but De la Fuente is confident Cubarsi will not need long on the sidelines.

"It's his ankle, it's a sprain," the Spain boss said. "We want to try and recover him by Sunday and we'll see how it goes in the coming days.

"It doesn't seem too serious, but there are only a few days left to recover, we have to be cautious."

While Cubarsi may be back in action soon, his absence could hardly come at a worse time for Barcelona as they are already scrambling to recover their players in time for their rescheduled La Liga clash with Osasuna on March 27.

Barcelona are already likely to be without Uruguay international Ronald Araujo, who is in international action less than 48 hours before the Osasuna game, while Spain teammate Inigo Martinez withdrew from the squad earlier this week due to a fitness concern. Andreas Christensen is not yet ready to return from his muscle injury.

Depending on the severity of the injuries to both Cubarsi and Martinez, Barcelona may find themselves with just Eric Garcia as their only natural centre-back available to face Osasuna.

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