Lewandowski out 4-6 weeks with left thigh tear ahead of Clasico

Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski has been ruled out after sustaining a tear to the biceps femoris muscle in his left thigh while on international duty, the club said on Tuesday, leaving the 37 year old doubtful for next weekend's Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu. The injury occurred during Poland's 2-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Lithuania on Sunday, a match in which Lewandowski played the full 90 minutes and scored.

"Lewandowski has a muscle injury in the biceps femoris of the left thigh. His recovery time will depend on how the injury evolves," Barcelona said in a club statement. Spanish reports and club sources have since indicated the striker could be sidelined for roughly four to six weeks, a timeline that would likely rule him out of the October 26 fixture against Real Madrid and a run of La Liga and Champions League matches that follow.

The setback compounds an already strained squad. Barcelona enter the upcoming fixtures with several absentees, including long term issues for goalkeeper Marc Andre ter Stegen and midfielder Gavi, plus recent muscle problems affecting Dani Olmo and others. Teenager Lamine Yamal returned to training this week, while the club has...