Villarreal midfielder Giovani Lo Celso, currently on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, is doubtful for the 2022 World Cup with a hamstring injury.
The Argentine star limped off the field in the first half of the La Liga fixture against Athletic Bilbao over the weekend.
Diario AS reports Lo Celso is facing a race against time to be fit for next month’s World Cup in Qatar.
He is expected to be sidelined for around two weeks. Further tests will determine the extent of his injury.
Lo Celso enjoyed an impressive loan spell with the Yellow Submarine during the second half of last season.
He was pivotal in the Spanish side reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League. They defeated Juventus and Bayern Munich en route to the last four.
Impressed by his performances, the Yellow Submarine re-signed him on loan this season, and reports state they are negotiating his permanent transfer with Spurs for a deal worth £18 million.
The 26-year-old has been a regular for the Argentine national team over the last few years, winning the Copa America last year.
Lo Celso adds to Argentina’s injury woes, with Paulo Dybala, Leandro Paredes and Angel Di Maria already sidelined.
Rodrigo de Paul’s form could also be a concern for manager Lionel Scaloni.
De Paul has fallen down the pecking order with Atletico Madrid, who have been disappointed with his off-field antics.
By contrast, Enzo Fernandez has been a revelation for Benfica this season following his move from River Plate in the summer.
The 21-year-old has quickly grown into one of the most coveted midfielders in Europe following his impressive performances in the Champions League this term.
Having already made his debut with La Albiceleste last month, Fernandez is in contention for a place in the World Cup squad.
