Barcelona FC News: Lionel Messi Questionable, Jordia Alba, Andres Iniesta And Alexis Sanchez Out vs. Getafe Plus Carles Puyol Returns

It appears that a flurry of injuries and sicknesses will leave Barcelona FC mighty shorthanded against Getafe on Sunday and perhaps beyond. While recovering from a flu bout, Barcelona full back Jordi Alba will be unable to participate in this weekend’s clash with Getafe.

However, Barcelona will also be without UEFA’s Best Player In The World award winner and Alba’s fellow Spanish teammate Andres Iniesta, who remains out while nursing a hamstring injury. In addition, Alexis Sanchez’s torn thigh muscle will keep him out.

Iniesta will likely miss two weeks of play after injuring his thigh during the World Cup qualifying win over Georgia.

Meanwhile, Barcelona will also return defender Carlos Puyol who suffered a fractured cheekbone on Aug. 26. It remains to be seen what role he’ll play but he may see action albeit wearing a facemask. Central midfielder Thiago Alcantara will also return this weekend.

Amidst the spreading injury bug, Barcelona has been careful not to overlook Getafe, which is currently in 10^th place.

“Getafe is a match that was already marked off on the calendar, we lost there last season,” said striker David Villa, who is recovering from a stress fracture of his own and will not see the pitch. “I need more minutes. I was sidelined a lot of months, almost eight without competing, and that’s a part of the process now. With any other team I would have been playing by now.”

As a result, Barcelona will have to lean more heavily upon forward Lionel Messi, who is also questionable but expects to play. In three La Liga matches this season, the Argentinian scoring wizard has scored four goals and has scored in his last three visits to Getafe.