Andres Iniesta Injury: Updates on Barcelona Star's Calf and Return

Andres Iniesta is on the cusp of a return to the Barcelona first team after a calf injury picked up in their Clasico defeat to Real Madrid.

Continue for updates.

Wednesday, Dec. 3

Iniesta Named in Cup Squad

Barcelona will welcome back Iniesta when they met Huesca in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday, confirmed by AS:

Saturday, Nov. 29

Iniesta Returns for Barcelona

Barcelona reported great news on their veteran star on Saturday:

Friday, Nov. 21

Wait Goes on for Iniesta

ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan provides the latest on Iniesta ahead of Barcelona's Saturday meeting with Sevilla:

Thursday, Nov. 20

Iniesta Returns to Training

Barcelona's official Twitter posted a positive update on their veteran maestro, revealing he has rejoined the group:

Tuesday, Nov. 11

Iniesta Keen to Get Back Playing

Iniesta posted a picture of himself strengthening the troubled calf area, accompanied by the words (h/t Marca): "Starting the week very motivated to get back out there with my teammates! Come on!!"

Monday, Oct. 27

Iniesta Sidelined for Three Weeks

Andres Iniesta will miss the next three weeks of the season due to the calf injury picked up against Real Madrid.

Alberto Martinez of AS reports the latest:

"

Andrés Iniesta will miss Barcelona’s next four matches after medical tests he underwent on Sunday morning confirmed he had picked up a strain in his right calf. Although the club have not yet officially revealed the extent of the injury, his condition is very delicate and will require a recovery period of approximately three weeks.

"

Sunday, Oct. 26

Calf Blow Confirmed for Iniesta

Barcelona announced the test results of Andres Iniesta's injured calf:

"

Sunday morning tests have confirmed that Andrés Iniesta has an injured right soleus, and developments will determine when he’ll be able to return to training with the group.

"

Saturday, Oct. 25

Iniesta Withdrawn in the Clasico

An already bad day for Barcelona in Saturday's El Clasico versus Real Madrid got worse late in the contest, as Andres Iniesta had to leave the pitch with an injury. 

The club's Twitter account tweeted the initial incident:

Following the match, Barcelona confirmed it was a calf injury:

"

FC Barcelona star midfielder Andres Iniesta suffered an injury to his right calf in tonight's match at the Bernabeu. He'll undergo further testing on Sunday to determine the extent of the damage.

"

Iniesta limped off with the Catalans losing 3-1 to their hated rivals, a result that would draw Los Blancos to within a point of Barcelona in the La Liga table. 

Obviously, if Iniesta's injury is a serious one, it would be a major blow to Barcelona. The crafty midfielder has been as excellent as ever, coming into Saturday's match with a 7.42 average match rating in six La Liga appearances, per WhoScored.com.

While Lionel Messi, Neymar and the newly reinstated Luis Suarez attract the major headlines, the heady and technically superb Iniesta continues to be the man that generally pulls all of the right strings in Barca's attack. His absence would leave a major void in the club's starting 11, that much is certain.