Barcelona manager Xavi has been dealt a bitter injury blow with Robert Lewandowski ahead of Thursday's Copa del Rey semi-final first leg with Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
La Blaugrana announced on Monday that the prolific Pole had sustained a hamstring injury in the weekend's defeat to Almeria, and he will not be available for El Clasico as a result.
Pedri and Ousmane Dembele are keeping Lewandowski company in the medical bay with their thigh problems, although Ansu Fati could return from a bruised knee in time for the first leg.
Should Fati be given the green light to play, the 20-year-old would be one option to play through the middle in Lewandowski's absence, but Ferran Torres is the most likely candidate to fill the void here.
Torres's shift to a central role would lead to a recall for Raphinha, who was dropped for the weekend's loss to Almeria - apparently due to a bizarre foot injury caused by kicking a fridge - as Gavi takes up the left-wing position.
Franck Kessie flattered to deceive at the weekend and was hooked at half time, so Xavi may be tempted to field Sergi Roberto in the engine room alongside Sergio Busquets and Frenkie de Jong.
Jules Kounde would therefore be free to return at right-back, while Ronald Araujo and Alejandro Balde should also earn recalls to the backline in place of Eric Garcia and Jordi Alba, as Marc-Andre ter Stegen starts in between the sticks.
Barcelona possible starting lineup: Ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Christensen, Balde; De Jong, Busquets, Roberto; Raphinha, Torres, Gavi
> Click here to see how Real Madrid could line up for El Clasico
Ben Knapton
