Xavi fears Barcelona could be without midfield duo Frenkie de Jong and Pedri for a “long time” after the pair suffered injuries during Sunday’s 0-0 draw with Athletic Club.

De Jong needed a stretcher to leave the field midway through the first half after falling awkwardly on his ankle, and the Dutchman was spotted leaving the game on crutches.

Shortly before half-time, Pedri joined his teammate in the treatment room. The young midfielder appeared to tweak a muscle stretching for a pass and limped off the field in tears after yet another injury setback.

“The injuries to Pedri and Frenkie do not look good,” Xavi said after the game. “It is very unfortunate. They look like they will miss several games and could be out for a long time. Between today and tomorrow we’ll know more.

“These are two very important players for us, and it seems like they will now be out for several matches, perhaps a long time. We have to hope it is less than we fear, but it is tremendous misfortune for us.”

After checks on both players were conducted, the club confirmed: “Frenkie de Jong has a lateral ligament sprain in his right ankle. Pedri has a right quadriceps injury. Both players are out and their recovery will determine their availability.”

“We have to give him a lot of love and support for him to return,” Xavi said of Pedri. “We will be by his side. We have to help him come back stronger.”

With Gavi also out with a long-term injury, Barcelona appear short in midfield once again. Ilkay Gundogan, Oriol Romeu, Sergi Roberto and Fermin Lopez are the natural options available to manager Xavi, while Andreas Christensen has also transitioned into a midfielder in recent weeks to help out.

Losing two more stars comes as an enormous blow to Barcelona ahead of next week’s Champions League clash with Napoli. The two sides drew 1-1 in last month’s first leg in Naples, leaving everything to play for this time around.

Before that, however, Barcelona will host Mallorca in La Liga action. Sunday’s draw leaves Barcelona third in the table after they failed to capitalise on Real Madrid and Girona both dropping points.