Big boost for Barcelona as key defender likely to be available vs PSG

Big boost for Barcelona as key defender likely to be available vs PSG Barcelona have been dealt a massive blow heading into the PSG game after the club confirmed the injury to key defenders in Eric Garcia and Jules Kounde. While Garcia has been ruled out for at least four weeks due to a thigh injury, Kounde’s knock has sidelined him for the PSG game, with the Frenchman also a doubt for the season’s first El Clasico this coming weekend. In the midst of all this, Barcelona were sweating on the availability of Gerard Martin, who had also picked up a knock in the win over Real Betis. Gerard Martin likely to be available Gerard Martin’s presence will be a big boost for Barcelona. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) But to Barcelona’s fortune, it appears Gerard Martin’s knock isn’t as serious as Kounde or Garcia and the player will be available for the clash against PSG, reports Mundo Deportivo . The young defender is merely suffering from an inflammation in his foot and has not actually picked up any injury. Keeping that in mind, the Spaniard is likely to be a part of the Barcelona camp that travels to Paris tomorrow afternoon. However, all could depend on how quickly Martin can recover over the course of the next 48 hours. It will, therefore, be interesting to see if he is a part of Barcelona training tomorrow in Paris. Martin’s role against PSG All eyes on Gerard Martin’s fitness. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images) Provided he is actually fit enough to start, Gerard Martin will play a critical role in the Barcelona backline against PSG. The youngster is expected to start alongside Pau Cubarsi at the heart of the four-man backline, which is set to face its biggest challenge. The PSG frontline, after all, boasts talents such as Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Desire Doue and Maghnes Akliouche, among others. While Martin’s role won’t be all that unique compared to rest of his teammate, it’s his presence that is more important, as Barcelona could struggle finding a reliable backline if he fails to start against PSG. Flick, in fact, could be forced to start with Frenkie de Jong at centre-back, although the Barcelona coach also has the option of deploying some of La Masia ‘s brightest talents.