Jordi Alba Injury: Updates on Barcelona Star's Hamstring and Return

Updates from Wednesday, March 12

Jordi Alba appears ready to make a return to the Barcelona first team for Wednesday's Champions League tie with Manchester City.

Barca's official website reported the following squad news ahead of the match:

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Barça coach Tata Martino has called up all his available first team players for the Champions League Last 16 second leg tie against Manchester City at the Camp Nou on Wednesday night, including keeper José Manuel Pinto, who has been given the medical all clear after his bout of lumbago.

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The site then listed the squad, including Alba's name:

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Valdés, Pinto, Montoya, Piqué, Fàbregas, Puyol, Xavi, Pedro, Iniesta, Alexis, Messi, Neymar Jr., Mascherano, Bartra, Sergio, Song, Jordi Alba, Afellay, Tello, Adriano, Dani Alves, Sergi Roberto and Olazábal.

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Updates from Friday, March 7

Jordi Alba remains absent for Barcelona ahead of the weekend clash with Real Valladolid due to the left-back's troublesome hamstring.

A squad update on their official website noted:

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Gerardo Martino has announced the names of the 18 players that he’ll be taking on this weekend’s away trip, and there are no places for any of Song, Alba, Cuenca, Afellay or Dos Santos.

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Original Text

Barcelona defender Jordi Alba suffered a sprained hamstring in Barca's 2-0 win over Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday. He is expected to be sidelined temporarily as a result, according to AS on Twitter:

The 24-year-old played the full 90-plus minutes. However, it doesn't appear he'll be fit in time for Saturday's La Liga clash with Real Sociedad. Fortunately for Alba and his club, Barcelona will have a week off following this weekend's match. 

Still, Alba's absence could potentially have an impact on the Catalan giants' league title hopes.

Barca are currently tied with Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid atop the La Liga table through 24 matches. What's more, Real Sociedad are among the top six clubs in the league, boasting a 7-3-1 record at home this season. 

Although Alba hasn't been much of a scoring threat since arriving at Camp Nou in 2012, his anticipation on defense and passing ability make him a valuable player and key contributor to the reigning Spanish champions. 

Therefore, manager Gerardo Martino and his players will be hoping that Alba can make a speedy recovery.