Barcelona have been handed an injury crisis just two months into the season, with about half of their backline sidelined through various physical problems.

The latest entrant into their list of injured players is full-back Xavi Espart, who faces up to two months out injured after his injury in El Clasico.

The 19-year-old played in his first Clasico on Sunday but was forced off in the first half, leading to concern for Barcelona faithful.

Medical examinations carried out after the game at the Spotify Camp Nou revealed damage to the syndesmosis of his right ankle.

Medical confirmation: Seven weeks out for La Masia starlet

As reported by the club's official social media handles, medical tests have confirmed that Espart has sustained a syndesmosis injury in his right ankle.

The result of the scans means that the teenager will be out of action for around seven weeks, and he is expected to return before the new year.

Espart scored his first-ever UEFA Champions League goal in the 4-2 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain last week and retained his place at right-back in Hansi Flick's line-up for El Clasico.

He was on the receiving end of a crunching tackle from Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, with the follow-through leaving him in a heap on the turf.

Espart tried to continue playing but soon realised that he was physically unable to keep up with the movements in the game and signalled the bench for his withdrawal in the 30th minute.

He was replaced by Alejandro Balde, prompting a defensive reshuffle that saw Balde fill in at left-back, while Joao Cancelo moved to take Espart's spot on the right.

The estimated recovery window of close to two months leaves the versatile 19-year-old sidelined for crucial domestic and European fixtures leading into the mid-season break.

Hansi Flick's defensive options tested ahead of winter fixtures

Barcelona manager Flick would have been the most unhappy to see Espart pick up his injury against Real Madrid, due to his shortage of defensive personnel.

Simply put, Espart's absence compounds an increasingly challenging situation along Barcelona's backline.

The young defender had established himself as a reliable option across Flick's defensive rotation, contributing a goal and strong tactical displays in both La Liga and the UEFA Champions League earlier in the autumn campaign.

His form earned him a new contract earlier this month, with the club rewarding him for his impressive start to life in senior football.

His ability to play in both full-back positions as well as in midfield made him a valuable asset in the eyes of Flick, who must now cope without him.

Heading into El Clasico, Flick was already without Jules Kounde, Andreas Christensen, and Eric Garcia, and Espart's injury now means that an entire back four is absent for the La Liga champions.

Flick will have to trust Cancelo and Balde as his only full-back options until the injury situation eases up with a return of key players.

Which games will Xavi Espart miss?

Espart's seven-week injury timeline means that he will return to action sometime in December, just shy of the mid-season break.

He will be unavailable for games against Deportivo Alaves (October 31st), Aston Villa (November 3rd), and Atletico Madrid (November 8th) before the international break next month.

The youngster will also miss games against Villarreal (November 22nd), Sabah FK (November 25th), and RC Deportivo (November 29th).

He could also miss games against Celta Vigo, Manchester City, and Malaga in December before the seven-week recovery timeline is complete.