Vermaelen dealt another injury blow against Atletico

Thomas Vermaelen suffered another injury blow on Saturday when he was forced off during Barcelona's match with Atletico Madrid in the first half.

Barça have since announced that the problem was with his calf problem and although they've not announced how long he will be out of action, three weeks is the early estimate.  

The Belgian defender rose highest to flick on a corner inside the Atletico box, but pulled up immediately after. 

He was pictured feeling the back of his leg, clearly in pain, and was replaced by the French defender Jeremy Mathieu with just 25 minutes on the game clock. 

It's the latest in a series of injuries for Vermaelen, who missed the majority of the last campaign sidelined -- only returning for the final league game of the season.

Vermaelen had started the new season so well, too. He was the match winner against Malaga last time out and was impressive in Barça's win at Athletic Club in the game of the La Liga season.  

It's now a question of waiting for an announcement from Barça on the nature and seriousness of Vermaelen's injury.