Messi nursing bruised knee
Reuters - Monday 14 March 2011, 14:01
MADRID - Joint La Liga top scorer Lionel
Messi is one of several players nursing minor injuries after
Barcelona's 1-1 draw at Sevilla on Sunday, the league leaders
said after medical checkups on Monday.
Argentina forward Messi, who is level on 27 goals with Real
Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, has a bruised right knee after he
clashed with Sevilla goalkeeper Javi Varas shortly before
halftime at the Sanchez Pizjuan.
The World Player of the Year looked in severe pain but
hobbled off the pitch unaided and was able to play the whole of
the second half.
The draw in Seville, only the fourth time Barca have dropped
points in the domestic league this season, trimmed the
champions' lead over Real to five points with 10 matches to play
after their great rivals beat Hercules 2-0 on Saturday.
The match also resulted in forward Pedro picking up an
abdominal injury and left-back Maxwell straining a thigh muscle.
Both are "seriously doubtful" for Saturday's La Liga game at
Getafe, Barca said on their website.
Club medical staff will monitor Messi's bruised knee, as
well as a Daniel Alves ankle problem and an Adriano Correia calf
strain, in coming days to determine whether they will be
available for the Getafe match.