Umtiti suffers muscle injury on return to training

FC Barcelona have confirmed that central defender Samuel Umtiti suffered a torn calf muscle after players returned to training following 56 days under lockdown in Spain.

The club estimates the Frenchman will have to rest for up to three weeks before being able to return to recover his match fitness.

The injury highlights the risks of footballers suffering muscle injuries, after almost two months in which they have had to try and stay as fit as possible without being allowed to train outdoors.

Another player who will have to wait before returning to training is Real Madrid striker Luka Jovic, who returned to Spain from Serbia at the start of the week with a broken bone in his right foot.

The injury will keep Jovic out for around three months, and he will probably not be able to take any part in the remaining 11 games left in La Liga when the Spanish league restarts, presumably in the second half of June.