Thomas Vermaelen Injury: Updates on Barcelona Defender's Status and Return

Barcelona defender Thomas Vermaelen could be set for another lengthy spell on the sidelines after being forced to depart his side's clash against Atletico Madrid on Saturday.

Continue for updates.

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Thomas Vermaelen Limps Off Against Atletico

Saturday, September 12

Blaugrana fans may fear for the fitness of Vermaelen after ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan confirmed the defender headed straight for the dressing room after limping off in the high-stakes matchup against Atleti:

As Corrigan attests, the Belgium international has been in inspired form for Luis Enrique since making his return from a recurring thigh injury at the start of this season.

Vermaelen played just 62 minutes of Barcelona's 2014-15 campaign after moving to the club from Arsenal last summer, and he was just starting to look capable of repaying the club for placing faith in his services.

Jeremy Mathieu will be expected to provide cover for Vermaelen until he's ready to return to Enrique's lineup, offering a similar left-sided utility capable of operating at centre-back or left-back.