Barcelona training update: Key star absent after minor injury; replacement called up from La Masia

Barcelona training update: Key star absent after minor injury; replacement called up from La Masia FC Barcelona completed their final training session ahead of Saturday’s La Liga meeting with Sevilla away at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan. And, according to Mundo Deportivo , goalkeeper Joan Garcia is absent from the session and ruled out of the match. Garcia was replaced at half-time against Racing Santander after experiencing discomfort in his right knee. Although the issue is not considered serious , Barça have opted not to take any risks with their first-choice goalkeeper. His absence means Garcia joins Frenkie de Jong and Roony Bardghji on the injury list. They are expected to be Barcelona’s only absentees for the trip to the Sanchez-Pizjuan. Not in training. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) Iker Rodriguez joins the first team With Garcia unavailable, Hansi Flick called up 18-year-old goalkeeper Iker Rodriguez to train with the senior squad. The Barça Atletic goalkeeper will be included in the matchday squad as the third-choice goalkeeper, alongside the expected starter Wojciech Szczesny and Dominik Livakovic. Rodriguez spent a large part of the pre-season with the first-team squad under Flick and is rated highly within the club. Since then, the 18-year-old starlet has started Barça Atletic’s first two league matches this season, keeping clean sheets against Naxara and Logrones B. His promotion provides Flick with additional goalkeeping cover for the trip to Seville. Iker Rodriguez will be called up vs Sevilla. (Picture credit: Instagram/@ikerrodriguez.01) Hamza Abdelkarim also continued to train with the first team, while Belgian winger Jesse Bisiwu was not involved. The teenage summer signing has yet to feature in a first-team squad this season and the wait will likely continue this weekend. Barcelona looking to maintain their perfect start Barcelona head to Seville hoping to extend their impressive winning run before the international break. The Catalan side sit alone at the top of the La Liga table, winning six in six, and have made a particularly strong impression in front of goal, regularly overwhelming their opponents with their attacking output. However, Sevilla will provide a significant test. They currently sit fifth, having won four of their opening six league matches. Flick’s side will therefore be looking to maintain their momentum at the Sanchez-Pizjuan before the squad disperses for international duty.