体坛英语新闻：Barcelona lose left back Adriano for the rest of the season

MADRID, April 22 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona's run of injuries continues with the news that the club has lost the services of left back Adriano Correia until the end of the season with a muscle injury.

Adriano tore a muscle in his groin in the final of the Copa del Rey, which Barcelona 1-0 lost to Real Madrid on Wednesday night.

The estimated recovery time of four to five weeks means Adriano will not have recovered in time to play again in the BBVA Primera Liga, which concludes on May 22, although he could have a slim chance of being fit should Barcelona qualify for the final of the Champions League, which is played in Wembley on May 28.

In order to reach Wembley, Barcelona have to play Real Madrid in the Champions League semifinals and in those games Adriano's place in the side will be taken by Maxwell Scherrer, who is now the club's only available left back as Eric Abidal is still recovering after undergoing an operation to remove a tumor from his liver.

Adriano joins Abidal and striker Bojan Krkic, who has a knee injury, as long term absentees for the Catalan side.

The good news for Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola is that central defender and club captain, Carles Puyol has shaken off the effects of the muscle strain he suffered last week in Madrid and will be available for Saturday's league game at home to Osasuna and, hopefully, the two vital European matches against Real Madrid.