Valverde's scare over Vermaelen's latest injury
The coach confessed he feared the worst when the Belgian pulled up
Barcelona have five players missing for Sunday's game against Athletic. Luis Suarez is suspended and Nelson Semedo, Denis Suárez, Sergio Busquets and Thomas Vermaelen are injured.
Vermaelen is the latest player to pick up an injury, with the Belgian unable to train on Saturday and Ernesto Valverde revealing he was given a scare during Thursday's training session.
"In the case of Vermaelen, he gave us a scare in training the other day because he ran into Cuenca and was in a lot of pain," the Barça coach said.
"But after the medical test, we don't think he will be out for too long. We think Denis and Semedo will be back after the international break. With the April we have, we would like everyone available but there is nothing you can do about it. Accidents happen, you have to be prepared for injuries."
Vermaelen will miss Sunday's game against Athletic with a bruised ankle but he should be fine after the international break and may still be able to join up with Belgium, too.
