Bad news for Barcelona? Pau Cubarsi forced out of Spain squad with injury ahead of La Liga & Champions League run-in

Spain were held to a 2-2 draw in the first leg of their Nations League quarter-final clash against the Dutch on Thursday. Nico Williams handed Spain the lead with an early strike but Cody Gakpo and Tijjani Reijnders' helped the hosts take the lead just minutes after the break. Arsenal star Mikel Merino then scored the equaliser for the European champions in stoppage time. In the 41st minute of the match, Cubarsi had to leave the pitch after picking up an ankle injury.

Cubarsi has been released from the national team and on Saturday, he underwent tests at the club. An official statement from the Catalan giants read: "Pau Cubarsí was only able to play 41 minutes of the Spanish national team's match against the Netherlands in the first leg of the UEFA Nations League quarterfinals. The centre-back suffered an injury and had to be substituted before halftime in a game that eventually ended 2-2.

"After assessing his condition, the player returned to Barcelona, where he underwent medical tests on Saturday morning at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. The tests revealed that the player has a strain in the anterior tibiofibular ligament of his right ankle. Cubarsí will follow a conservative treatment plan, and his tolerance to activity will be reassessed in 48 hours, on Monday."

Cubarsi's injury comes as a huge blow for Hansi Flick's side who are well placed to win the treble this season. Right after the international break, Barcelona have a couple of crucial La Liga encounters against Osasuna and Girona before they face Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final clash. They are also due to face Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final fixture on April 9.

Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen, who replaced Cubarsi after his injury, is likely to be fielded in the starting line-up in La Roja's Nations League quarter-final second leg on Sunday.