Barcelona captain Andres Iniesta to miss Manchester City trip after suffering knee injury against Valencia

Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba are both already missing

(Getty Images)

Barcelona captain Andres Iniesta will miss the return fixture against Manchester City and is facing six to eight weeks on the sidelines after suffering a knee injury in the 3-2 win over Valencia on Saturday night.

The 32-year-old hit the ground after a heavy challenge from Enzo Perez and was attended to on the pitch for seven minutes by the club’s medical team before being stretchered off the Mestalla pitch in tears.

And the club confirmed the midfielder would face up to two months out injured after initial tests confirmed damage to the lateral collateral ligament in his right knee.

Lionel Messi scored late on to snatch the three points for the Spanish champions but manager Luis Enrique was left furious with the challenge that left Iniesta in a heap.

"The worst thing [about the game] was the injury to Andres,” he said.

"It's a moment we've it seen clearly, because of how close we were, and we saw immediately that the player was injured and there was no yellow card.

“We'll see how long he's out for tomorrow, but yes, it will be a while. It's a serious injury."

Iniesta’s midfield partner Sergio Busquets was also disappointed with the injury.

(Getty Images (Getty Images)

He said: "Andres' injury is a shame. It's a dangerous place to get a knock and it can leave you out for several weeks. We hope he can recover as soon as possible."

Barca are already without defenders Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba and goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen, while Arda Turan and Rafinha both pulled out of the game with injuries picked up in training.