Eric Garcia cleared to play for Barcelona despite broken nose

Barcelona defender Eric Garcia will be available for Sunday’s away match against Levante despite suffering a broken nose in a collision with team-mate Rodri.

Garcia sustained the injury after clashing with his own team-mate, but Barcelona were relieved to learn that the damage would not prevent him from continuing to play. According to Spanish publication Sport, the defender is expected to take part in the match while wearing a protective mask.

Garcia trained in the mask on Monday, providing an early indication that he could return to competitive action quickly. Barcelona are now expected to include him in their plans for the trip to Levante on Sunday, although his involvement will depend on how he responds after the injury and whether he is selected.

The protective equipment will be used to prevent the broken nose from worsening during training and in the match. The injury itself will therefore not force Garcia to miss Barcelona’s next domestic fixture.

However, the defender will not feature in Wednesday’s Champions League match against Feyenoord. His absence from that game is unrelated to the broken nose: Garcia is suspended for the European fixture.

That distinction means Garcia is set to miss the Champions League encounter because of disciplinary reasons rather than a medical decision. Barcelona’s immediate concern about the injury has eased after the club established that he could continue playing with protection.

The sequence of events leaves Garcia’s schedule clear in principle for Sunday’s meeting with Levante, while ruling him out of the midweek European game. He trained on Monday wearing the mask and is expected to be fit enough to resume competitive football at the weekend.

The collision with Rodri resulted in a fracture, but the injury has not been described as serious enough to require Garcia to stop playing. Instead, the mask will allow him to take part while offering protection to his nose.

Barcelona’s relief comes from the fact that Garcia remains available for the domestic fixture, despite the setback. His suspension, rather than the injury, is what prevents him from playing against Feyenoord on Wednesday.

Garcia’s expected appearance at Levante will come with the additional precaution of the mask, while his Champions League absence has already been determined by the suspension.