Barcelona sweating over fitness of key man after injury in UEFA Nations League fixture

Barcelona centre-back Pau Cubarsi has been forced off the field in the first half of Spain's UEFA Nations League quarter-final first leg with the Netherlands, and he could now be set for a spell on the sidelines.

Cubarsi appeared to injure his ankle in the early stages of the international fixture, but he was able to continue until the latter stages of the first period, when the 18-year-old made it clear that he would have to be substituted, which opened the door for Dean Huijsen to enter for his La Roja debut.

The centre-back left the field without assistance, but he was in clear discomfort, and it is now expected that he will head back to Barcelona and not be involved in the second leg of the quarter-final next week.

Barcelona are back in La Liga action against Osasuna on March 27, with the fixture controversially rescheduled for that date.

Cubarsi has been a vital player for the Catalan giants this season, making 42 appearances in all competitions, contributing one goal and three assists in the process.

Barcelona are going for a treble this season, with Hansi Flick's side top of the La Liga table, while they are in the quarter-finals of the Champions League and semi-finals of the Copa del Rey.

An announcement on Cubarsi is likely to be made in the aftermath of Spain's contest with the Netherlands.