Atletico Madrid forward Alvaro Morata is almost certainly out of Saturday's top-of-the-table clash at La Liga leaders Barcelona this weekend.
The Spanish giants have confirmed that he sprained his ankle in Tuesday's 2-0 win at home to Girona, and now looks set to miss the crunch showdown.
Atletico did not state how long the Spain striker would be sidelined but reports in Spanish media ruled him out of action for two weeks, adding to the team's shortages in attack ahead of the game that could make or break their title ambitions.
"The medical report indicates that [Morata] suffered an ankle sprain," said a club statement. "The striker is pending response to treatment."
Ernesto Valverde makes Lionel Messi admission after Barcelona's 4-4 draw at Villarreal
Atletico trail Barca by eight points with eight games left but Diego Costa faces a battle to be fit after missing the Girona win with a muscle problem, while France winger Thomas Lemar is not expected back from injury for another two weeks.
Antoine Griezmann, the club's top scorer this season, and Croatian forward Niko Kalinic are coach Diego Simeone's only fit forwards for the trip to the Nou Camp, where Atletico have not won in any competition since 2006.
Meanwhile, former Barca star David Villa has claimed Lionel Messi is the best player ever.
Barcelona currently have an eight-point lead in La Liga over Atletico Madrid ahead of Saturday's showdown between the sides and also face Manchester United in the Champions League quarter-final this month.
Man Utd 'set to rival City' for Pep Guardiola's No.1 transfer target
Messi has been central to Barcelona's success, scoring 42 goals across all competitions and proving the side's talisman time and again.
He will turn 32 in June but Villa, who played alongside the Argentine forward at Barcelona for three years, does not see him slowing down.
"It is difficult to be surprised with Leo," Villa, who now plays for Vissel Kobe in Japan, said.
"He is the best. He has always shown everybody in the world that he is the best... Every game that you can watch him is a pleasure."
