La Liga giants Barcelona have this week been dealt a blow on the personnel front.
This comes amid confirmation that defender Gerard Martín is set for a prolonged incoming spell on the sidelines.
Left-back Martín for his part set alarm bells sounding in Catalunya yesterday evening.
This came after word was forthcoming that the 23-year-old had been withdrawn prematurely from Spain’s opener at the U21 European Championships.
It was later revealed that as much came owing to a painful blow to his hand.
And as alluded to above, less than 24 hours on, the extent of the damage done has been revealed.
As per a statement across the Spanish national team’s social media platforms:
‘Gerard Martín , a permanent fixture for the Spanish U-21 national team, has suffered a dislocated fifth metacarpal bone in his right hand. Martín will therefore leave the Spanish national team, which faces Romania this Saturday (6 p.m.) in the second matchday of the group stage.’
In a further update on the part of Jijantes, it is added that the Barcelona star will be forced under the knife over the days ahead, expected to spend the next six to eight weeks on the sidelines as a result.
Conor Laird – GSFN
