Barcelona have announced that they will be without American player Sergino Dest and French forward Ousmane Dembele for La Liga game this weekend.

However, the 24 year-old Ousmane Dembele only returned to the first team against Dynamo Kiev on Tuesday where he played for 25 minutes before being subbed off again for what is feared to be another hamstring problem.

While Barcelona confirmed the absence of the two players through a social media post on their platform, they didn’t include the most likely return date for both players.

“The first team player Sergino Dest has lower back pain. He is unavailable for selection and his recovery will dictate his return. The first team player Ousmane Dembele has a strain in the semimembranosus muscle of his left hamstring. He is unavailable for selection and his recovery will dictate his return.” statement said.

While Barcelona won their UEFA Champions League game against Dynamo Kiev by a single goal 1-0, they have to be weary of Benfica in their next UEFA Champions League game as they sit in second position with six points from four games, two more than the Portuguese big boys.

Barcelona will now face Celta Vigo in the La Liga this weekend as reports continue to generate that the Camp Nou side is very close to signing announcing Xavi this weekends as their new manager.

Barcelona sacked their previous coach Ronald Koeman last weeks and has been replaced on an interim basis by manager Sergi Barjuan.

Meanwhile, in UEFA Europa League results on Thursday involving La Liga teams, Real Betis lost 4-0 to German Bundesliga side Bayern Leverkusen in the Europa League albeit both side ended the game with a man less each.

Real Sociedad were also shocked to a 1-1 draw by Sturm Graz in the Europa League.

Written by Daniel Ademiju Idowu