Barcelona will potentially be unable to call upon Nelson Semedo until 2020 after the defender suffered a calf problem against Celta Vigo on Saturday night.
The 25-year-old had to be replaced in the 23rd minute of the 4-1 win over Celta, which saw the Spanish champions return to the top of La Liga ahead of the international break.
Barca revealed on Saturday evening that subsequent tests on Semedo's calf showed an injury which will make him unavailable for selection until possibly after the winter break in Spain.
"Tests carried out on the first-team player Nelson Semedo have confirmed that he has a calf injury in his left leg and will be out for around five weeks," read a statement on the club's official website.
Barca will face Leganes, Atletico Madrid, Mallorca, Real Sociedad, Real Madrid and Alaves in La Liga before the winter break, in addition to Champions League fixtures against Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan.
Semedo - a 2017 arrival from Benfica - has not missed a single match for Barca this term, contributing three assists in 16 appearances in all competitions.
Matt Law
