Pique out for a fortnight

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique is expected to be missing for around a fortnight with a hamstring strain sustained during tonight's La Liga win over Racing Santander. The Spain international limped out of the action after just nine minutes to be replaced by Eric Abidal and, after undergoing tests, Pique is likely to be out of action for about 15 days, according to the club's website. In the next two weeks, Barça face Viktoria Plzen in the UEFA Champions League, and Sevilla, Granada and Real Mallorca in La Liga. Pique, who was also troubled by a calf problem at the start of the season, is one of a host of Barça players to be hit by injury this term, with Alexis Sanchez, Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas, Abidal and Ibrahim Afellay also being ruled out for varying periods since the start of the campaign. Barça beat Racing Santander 3-0 at the Camp Nou to remain at the top of the La Liga standings.