Barcelona defensive heavyweight a doubt vs Las Palmas due to muscle discomfort | OneFootball

As Barcelona prepare to take on UD Las Palmas later this weekend, they are sweating over the fitness of key defender Inigo Martinez.

The veteran Spaniard has been one of the best players for Barça this season, forming an excellent pairing at the heart of the defence alongside Pau Cubarsi.

Inigo Martinez a doubt vs Las Palmas

However, now, according to SPORT, Martinez’s availability for Barcelona’s La Liga clash against Las Palmas on Saturday is a major doubt due to muscular discomfort.

Martinez is understood to have been feeling muscle pain in his leg and although he has not suffered any major setbacks, it seems unlikely that he will be 100% fit for the match this Saturday against Las Palmas.

It should be remembered that there is now a stretch of the calendar with midweek matches, and thus Barcelona manager Hansi Flick does not want to take any risks with any of his players’ fitness.

Martinez could miss Saturday’s game vs Las Palmas. (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images)

As such, everything indicates that the German tactician will not force the former Athletic Club defender to feature against Las Palmas.

The 33-year-old veteran has featured in 18 of Barça’s 19 competitive matches this season in all competitions, racking up 1,596 minutes, in which he has two goals and assists each.

The Blaugrana have tricky fixtures coming up next week against RCD Mallorca and Real Betis and Flick could opt to give Martinez a breather this weekend with an eye on those matches.

Who could replace Martinez?

If Martinez indeed does not feature, Eric Garcia would be an option to replace him and partner Pau Cubarsi at the heart of the Barcelona defence.

However, the former Manchester City ace is in contention to start in midfield as well with Marc Casado suspended for Saturday’s clash.

Another option for Flick would be to count on young defender Sergi Dominguez, considering that Ronald Araujo is still not ready to return and Andreas Christensen is out as well.

Jules Kounde could also be an option, with Hector Fort filling in at right-back in that scenario.