Lionel Messi is expected to be out of action for between seven and eight weeks after he tore a ligament in his left knee in Barcelona's 2-1 win over Las Palmas in La Liga yesterday.
Messi was forced off in just the third minute of the match after suffering the blow, but two goals from Luis Suarez ensured that the Catalan giants took all three points from the fixture.
The race is now on for Messi to return to action in time to face Real Madrid in El Clasico, which is set for 22nd November at the Bernabeu.
Barcelona coach Luis Enrique is sad to have lost Messi to injury, however he insists that the Argentine's absence will not see his side change their style of play and challenged the side's other players to give extra to make sure he is not missed.
He told a press conference post-match: "I'm always sad when one of my players gets injured and even more when it's Messi.
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"We will not change our style of play without Messi, although there are many moments in games in which Messi liberates us and finds solutions for us", Enrique added.
"So we'll have to strengthen in other areas and the team will have to step up without him."
Barcelona's win has pushed them up to second in La Liga, one point behind early leaders Villarreal.
The Catalan giants' fierce rivals Real Madrid were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Malaga, while Atletico Madrid lost 1-0 to Villarreal to slip down to fifth in the standings.
Next up for Barcelona is a visit from Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League before they then travel to Sevilla next weekend.
