MADRID, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona confirmed on Tuesday that central defender Inigo Martinez will be out of action for around a month after suffering a hamstring injury in the final of the Spanish Supercup on Sunday night.
"Tests carried out on Tuesday morning have shown that the first team player Inigo Martinez has a right hamstring injury. He will be out for around four weeks," confirmed the communique.
Martinez had to leave the pitch in the 28th minute of Sunday's game after pulling up with the injury and was replaced by Ronald Araujo.
The injury could now have a direct influence on Araujo's future. The Uruguayan has been strongly linked with a move to Italian giant's Juventus in recent weeks, with a big-money move expected during the current transfer window.
With Martinez out for at least a month and Andreas Christensen still not fully fit after suffering an Achilles tendon injury at the start of the season, Barca coach Hansi Flick will not want to lose Araujo, especially as he doesn't seem to have much confidence in forth central defender, Eric Garcia.
Tuesday also saw Barcelona president Joan Laporta give a press conference in which he discussed several issues, such as the problems in registering forwards Dani Olmo and Pau Victor and when Barca will return to the Camp Nou Stadium.
Laporta insisted the club had presented the correct paperwork in time to register Olmo and Victor, but failed to say when the club would return to its home ground, only indicating it would be "as soon as possible." ■