Barcelona midfielder Xavi’s pre-season preparations have been set back by a calf strain, though the injury does not appear to be serious.

The Spain international, 34, suffered the injury in training but the club hope he will be able to swiftly rejoin the squad.

A statement on the club’s website read: “Xavi Hernandez suffered a slight calf strain in his left leg during training this morning. Club doctors will decide when he can return to training over the next few days.”

Xavi scored Barcelona’s equaliser from the penalty spot as a second-half substitute in Saturday’s friendly draw with Nice.

There was more encouraging news regarding Alex Song, with the Cameroon midfielder back on the training field for the first time since leaving Barcelona’s training camp at England’s St George’s Park base due to a family problem.

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