PHILIPPE COUTINHO has suffered an injury setback which looks to have ruled him out of Barcelona’s El Clasico against Real Madrid.
The Brazilian damaged the external meniscus in his left knee in the 1-1 draw with Eibar in December and has since missed 15 matches.
Philippe Coutinho suffered an injury setback which looks to have ruled him out of Barcelona’s El ClasicoCredit: Reuters
And according to Mundo Deportivo, his recovery is not going well.
Coutinho’s knee is still swollen and his return to the first team looks to be delayed.
The playmaker underwent surgery on January 2 and a recovery period of three months was set.
Barca wanted him to return in time for El Clasico, scheduled for April 10, but it now looks unlikely.
Coutinho spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich having fallen out of favour at the Nou Camp.
But under new boss Ronald Koeman, the 28-year-old was given a second chance.
Coutinho has since made 14 appearances in total, scoring three goals with two assists.
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He has played primarily through the middle – opposed to out wide – in the position that made him a Premier League star at Liverpool.
Barca have been further rocked by the news that 18-year-old sensation Ansu Fati’s recovery from a knee injury is also slower than anticipated.
The midfielder has missed 26 games and despite undergoing surgery, his targeted return in March is due to be pushed back.
Barcelona star Lenglet breaks down in tears as he leaves Nou Camp after giving away last-minute penalty in Cadiz draw
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
