Barcelona have been dealt another setback in defence after confirming Xavi Espart will be out of action for around seven weeks.
Espart, 19, injured his ankle in the first half of Sunday's Clásico defeat to Real Madrid in LaLiga and had to be replaced by Alejandro Balde.
He subsequently underwent tests on Monday at Barça's training ground, with the club later announcing he is "suffering from an injury to the syndesmosis joint in his right ankle due to a collision with an opposition player."
The loss of Espart further reduces the options available to Barça coach Hansi Flick in defence, with Andreas Christensen, Jules Koundé and Eric García all missing the Clásico with various knocks.
Balde, Pau Cubarsí, Gerard Martín and João Cancelo, therefore, are currently the only first team defenders available for selection.
Christensen and Koundé are the closest to returning to action, although it remains to be seen if they will come into contention for Barça's next game, at home to Alavés in the league on Sunday.
Espart -- part of the 2007 generation at Barça, which also includes Cubarsí, Lamine Yamal and Marc Bernal -- had been enjoying a breakout season for the LaLiga leaders after being reconverted into a full-back by Flick.
The midfielder began the campaign at left-back but has played as a right-back this past week in defeats to Paris Saint-Germain and Madrid following injuries to Koundé and García.
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Barça's 2-1 loss to Madrid at Spotify Camp Nou on Sunday was their first reverse in LaLiga this season, ending a run of nine consecutive wins.
It came on the back of their first defeat of the season in the Champions League last Tuesday, when they were beaten 4-2 by back-to-back European champions PSG.