The Spain international was substituted towards the end of last night`s 2-1 defeat to Atletico Madrid and tests today revealed a thigh problem which, according to the Barca website, is likely to keep him out for around 15 days.

Losing Xavi is a further setback for Barca, who also saw midfielder Seydou Keita limp out of the Atletico match after just five minutes with a hamstring injury that will see him missing for up to four weeks.

Yaya Toure was already missing through injury, while another midfielder, Sergio Busquets, picked up a yellow card at the Vicente Calderon that means he will now have to serve a suspension.

Barca, whose defeat at Atletico was their first in the league this season, face league matches against Racing Santander, Malaga and Almeria in the next three weeks, as well as the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie with Stuttgart.