Barcelona fear left-back Alejandro Balde may require season-ending surgery after limping off with a hamstring injury in their 4-2 defeat to Athletic Club on Wednesday.

The 20-year-old managed just 23 minutes of the game before leaving the field with his head in his hands, immediately sparking fears that he may have suffered a serious injury.

While investigating the suspected hamstring tear, Catalunya Radio state Balde has also been diagnosed with a tear to a tendon in his right thigh, leading club officials to recommend he undergoes surgery in Finland.

Recovery from such a procedure is estimated at four months, which would bring Balde’s season to an abrupt end.

AS state that Barcelona are waiting for the final approval from both Balde and his agent, Jorge Mendes, before pencilling in the surgery and confirming his injury.

Balde’s injury could be hugely problematic for Barca boss Xavi, who is currently without a single senior left-back. Marcos Alonso is nursing a back problem that is expected to keep him sidelined for at least another month.

Joao Cancelo, a natural right-back, is also battling a knee injury, which meant 17-year-old Hector Fort, another right-back, had to come off the bench to replace Balde against Athletic.

Cancelo went unused against Athletic – a sign he was not fully ready for competitive action – but his place on the bench suggests he is not far away from selection once again.

Barcelona are back in action on Saturday against Villarreal, with Xavi perhaps set to name a makeshift defence as he seeks to end a run of miserable performances which has seen questions asked about his future at Camp Nou.