By AVI CREDITOR
Barcelona midfielder Xavi will be out for the next 7-10 days after tests revealed a minor muscle problem in his left leg.
With that timetable, the central figure in Barca's attack is set to miss league matches against Mallorca and Valencia, but he should return in time for the club's crucial UEFA Champions League second leg against Arsenal on March 8.
With the knock, Xavi joins defender Carles Puyol and goalkeeper Victor Valdes on the team's injured list.
Here are a few more stories from around the soccer world:
INJURY WOES FOR MANCHESTER UNITED, MARSEILLE
Manchester United and Marseille have both been hit by the injury bug ahead of their UEFA Champions League knockout tie on Wednesday.
Premier League leader United will be without Rio Ferdinand, Ryan Giggs, Anderson, Jonny Evans and Michael Owen for the match at Stade Velodrome.
Marseille, in third place in Ligue 1, will be missing Andre-Pierre Gignac and is sweating over the fitness of Brandao, Loic Remy and Matthew Valbuena.
MCCOIST TO TAKE OVER AT RANGERS
Former Rangers player and current assistant coach Ally McCoist will take over as the club's manager at the end of this season.
With Walter Smith stepping down at the conclusion of the 2010-2011 campaign, McCoist figured to be a leading candidate for the position, and the club confirmed his appointment on Tuesday.
He's been an assistant under Smith since 2007.
BLACKBURN EYES BRAZILIAN INFUSION
It appears that courting Ronaldinho was just the beginning.
Blackburn's new ownership team, Venky's Group, is reportedly eyeing Kaka, Robinho, Neymar and Elano as potential summer signings in an effort to bring Brazilian talent to Ewood Park.
The club offered a giant contract to Ronaldinho during the winter transfer window, but he spurned their offer to join Flamengo in Brazil.
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Do you think Barcelona will struggle without Xavi? Do you see injuries playing a factor in the United-Marseille tie? Think McCoist is the right man for the Rangers job? Do you see any Brazilians signing at Blackburn this summer?
Share your thoughts below.
He…..He…he … heeee
Good joke.
Yeah, but money makes you infinitely more attractive…..
…I mean, that’s what rich people have told me. I’m poor AND ugly.
yea that thing called Barca= RM’s daddy.
No worries about Marseille, they’re going to send ManU packing.
Great news for my team Real, lol, bad news for a thing called Barca
Briiliant post.
shut up man, I have a chance. They will love my personality.
haha, yea kinda. It’s like, take some time to get in shape, use that cash for some facial treatment, and then you can chase the a-listers. I guess the Indian chicken business is one where people aim to run before they can walk.
Blackburn’s got some stones, I’ll give them that. But this is the equivalent of the chubby kid with bad acne and greasy hair trying to hit on Megan Fox and Olivia Wilde at a bar.