Sergio Busquets Injury: Updates on Barcelona Star's Hip and Return

Sergio Busquets missed Barcelona's recent Champions League tie with Ajax due to a hip injury, and is now striving to prove his fitness ahead of El Clasico.

Latest Update from Thursday, Oct. 23

Busquets is fit to play a part in the Clasico for Barcelona, Luis Enrique confirmed on Friday, per ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan:

Original Article from Tuesday, Oct. 21

The Spanish midfielder sat out Tuesday's clash with Ajax as a "precautionary measure," as reported by the club's official website.

Plenty of options can be utilised to cover Busquets' absence. Javier Mascherano, Andres Iniesta, Xavi and Ivan Rakitic can all fill in for the midfielder.

Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images

Busquets has made eight appearances across La Liga and the Champions League this season, per WhoScored.com. His pass success rate of 94.6 percent, combined with an average of 3.4 tackles and 1.3 interceptions per match, indicates how important he is to shielding the side's defence.

Enrique's side will need to work avidly without their tempo-dictating, often overlooked cog. 

Prior Updates

Updates from Thirsday, Oct. 23

Barcelona are growing confident that Busquets will be available for the trip to Real Madrid on Saturday after he took part in first-team training. Marca reports:

"

The central midfielder had no problems with the ball at his feet and seems to have recovered from the left hip injury which prevented him playing against Ajax. The Barcelona player could therefore line up for the 'Clásico' this Saturday at the Santiago Bernabéu

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