Eric Garcia leaves Spain squad with knee issue, Getafe return likely

Barcelona defender Eric Garcia has left the Spain squad with a left knee problem and is reportedly expected back for the La Liga game against Getafe on 10 October. Yahoo Sports, citing Alex Pintanel, says the issue is not serious and that he was sent home as a precaution.

Garcia felt the knee in the warm-up before Spain's 3-2 win over England at Wembley. Tests after the match confirmed the discomfort. Mundo Deportivo reports that the problem is of little importance, but that neither the coach Luis de la Fuente nor the player wanted to risk it getting worse. The Spanish federation said in a statement: "After the tests carried out, it has been decided to withdraw him given the proximity of the next international commitments, thereby avoiding any risk and preserving the player's health."

Garcia will be treated in Barcelona, with the aim of making him available to Hansi Flick for the Getafe fixture at Spotify Camp Nou, kick-off 18.30.

He has played 469 minutes in Barcelona's first eight matches, seventh among the squad's most-used players. Jules Kounde has played 261 minutes and is 17th. Yahoo notes that Garcia has been Barcelona's first-choice right-back this season, and that the club are already without Andreas Christensen through injury. Kounde has been linked with a move to the Premier League.

If the knee settles as the early reports suggest, Flick loses nothing for the Getafe game. Any longer absence would leave him short at both centre-back and right-back.