Barcelona defender may return to action vs Levante after big injury against Valencia

Barcelona defender may return to action vs Levante after big injury against Valencia Starting ahead of Jules Kounde at right-back, Eric Garcia’s afternoon against Valencia was cut short after a collision with teammate Rodri. The two players collided around the halfway point of the first-half, with Rodri’s head smashing into Garcia’s nose. The defender couldn’t soldier through the pain and was subbed off at around 29th minute, with Kounde coming on to replace him at right-back. Garcia may return vs Levante It was a bloody collision between Rodri and Garcia. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) Spanish journalist Javi Miguel has already given up an update on Eric Garcia, confirming that the defender has a nasal fracture thanks to the collision with Rodri. While it was a bloody incident, the injury is not thought to be serious enough and Garcia is expected to available for Barcelona’s next match in La Liga against Levante. The Catalans are slated to face Feyenoord in their next match, in the UEFA Champions League, but Garcia was not to be available for that game anyway. This is due to a suspension he is expected to serve, having picked up a red card against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinals last season. Ample time to recover Garcia is expected to be back against Levante. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) This effectively means Garcia will get the midweek off to rest and recover from his nasal fracture. Miguel believes the Spaniard may return for the Levante game, though he adds the player might have to play with a facemask on. This is quite similar to the injury Garcia faced last year, when the defender was seen wearing a facemask as well. Even if the Spaniard fails to make it in time for the Levante clash, Hansi Flick has ample solutions in the right-back position. Kounde is ideally expected to continue at right-back over the next two matches. But if decides to rest the Frenchman for the Levante game, he can always count on the services of either Xavi Espart or Joao Cancelo.