FC Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernández is expected to return just in time for the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first-leg encounter away to AC Milan on 20 February despite the 33-year-old suffering a hamstring tear.

After completing almost all of the Liga leaders' 1-1 draw against Valencia CF at Mestalla on Sunday, Xavi complained of discomfort in his right leg and following tests was quickly removed from the Spain squad to face Uruguay in Doha on Wednesday. It has since been announced that the UEFA EURO 2012 winner – a scorer of six goals in 33 appearances in all competitions for Barça this season – will be out of action for up to 15 days, meaning he will miss his team's league games against Getafe CF and Granada CF as he attempts to recover in time for the encounter with Milan at San Siro.

Fellow midfielder Alex Song, meanwhile, has pulled out of Cameroon's friendly against Tanzania and is receiving treatment on a left knee complaint at Barcelona headquarters. The Blaugrana's second-leg against Massimiliano Allegri's side will take place on 12 March at the Camp Nou.



