Pedri suffers injury set back, could miss the next two games

Barcelona midfielder Pedri has suffered a setback in his recovery from a hamstring injury, according to The Athletic.

The 20-year-old picked up the knock after 41 minutes in the 2-2 Europa League first-leg draw against Manchester United on February 16.

Barca manager Xavi Hernandez had hoped to have Pedri available for Sunday’s El Clasico against Real Madrid, but the Spaniard was unable to complete Friday’s training session.

However, the Blaugranas rallied to a 2-1 victory without their young sensation as goals from Sergi Roberto and Franck Kessie overturned Ronald Araujo’s early own goal.

Having extended their lead over Madrid to 12 points at the La Liga summit, Barca’s next fixture is a trip to relegation-threatened Elche after the international break.

However, Xavi’s side will have to make do without Pedri, who is in a race against time to be fit for the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg against Los Blancos next month.

The Spanish heavyweights will face off for the fifth time this season on April 5, with the Catalan giants holding a slender 1-0 lead over Carlo Ancelotti’s side with a place in the final up for grabs.

Pedri’s setback also comes as a blow to Spain manager Luis De La Fuente, who had included the youngster in his 25-man squad for the European qualifiers against Norway and Scotland.

De La Fuente had been in close contact with Pedri throughout his rehabilitation but has now been forced to replace the youngster with Villarreal’s Yeremy Pino called up instead.

Pedri joins a star-studded list of injured Blaugranas, including Ousmane Dembele and Araujo. The latter has been ruled out for three weeks.

Araujo aggravated his left adductor during the El Clasico victory and will miss international duty with the Uruguayan national team and Barca’s trip to Elche.

However, unlike Pedri, the 24-year-old is expected to return in time for the crunch Copa Del Rey tie decider against Madrid next month.