Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic suffers Achilles injury

Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic has been sidelined with an injury to his Achilles tendon.

Having been used sparingly by manager Ernesto Valverde this season, Rakitic had been hoping to earn some game time while on international duty with Croatia.

However, the 31-year-old has been forced to withdraw from the latest national team squad in order to begin his recovery from an Achilles problem.

While the issue has been confirmed by Barcelona, the La Liga champions have not suggested how long Rakitic will spend in the treatment room.

Rakitic has made just one start this season, with another nine outings coming from the substitutes' bench.