Barcelona star Jordi Alba suffers injury blow ahead of Real Madrid clash but Arda Turan returns

Barcelona manager Luis Enrique is sweating over the fitness of Jordi Alba and Gerard Pique ahead of the visit of Real Madrid on Saturday (3 December) after both defenders suffered a new injury scare during the disappointing 1-1 draw at Real Sociedad.

The club have confirmed that the left-back picked up "bruising on his right knee and a distension of his left ankle" at the Anoeta Stadium while the centre-back also had a setback in his recent ankle sprain during the first-part of the game. Meanwhile, Arda Turan is back available after missing the game due to illness.

Pique and Alba only returned from a one month spell on the sidelines in the previous La Liga encounter with Malaga.

The two Spanish international started in the Champions League victory over Celtic but were replaced in the second half of the game as a precaution.

And the two defenders set the alarms bells ringing at the Nou Camp once again during the disappointing draw at Real Sociedad, which came only a week before the visit of Real Madrid.

Alba was forced off in the 33<sup>rd minute of the game after hurting his knee in a challenge with Carlos Vela. The left-back was eventually able to come back to the pitch but the club have now made an official announcement to reveal the blow.

Meanwhile, in a more positive news, Barcelona confirmed that Arda Turan has the green light to return to action after missing the weekend encounter due to illness.

"The tests carried out this morning reveal that Jordi Alba has a strong concussion on his right knee and a distension of his left ankle. How he evolves will determine his availability for the next few games," Barcelona confirmed. "On the other hand, Arda Turan is fit again."

Pique, meanwhile, hopes to be ready to face Real Madrid despite also asking to be replaced later in the first-half following a challenge with Mikel Oyarzabal. Yet, he was treated by the doctors and managed to continue playing until the end of the game.

Asked by the reporters about whether he will be ready to face Real Madrid on Saturday, Pique said: "I hope so. I suffered a setback on my ankle during the first-half but I hope I'm ready for Saturday."

Barcelona face second division B side Hercules in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday before the long-awaited El Clasico. Pique and Alba were expected to be rested in the Cup encounter anyway but it's still uncertain whether they will be ready to return to action to face Real Madrid.

Meanwhile, Barcelona are yet to give any update on the respective recoveries of Andres Iniesta, Samuel Umtiti and Jeremey Mathieu.