Barcelona without Kounde and Balde for Newcastle Champions League encounter

Barcelona will miss defenders Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde in their Champions League round of 16 clash with Newcastle, as both sustained hamstring injuries diagnosed on Wednesday.

The players were substituted through injury in Barcas 3-0 Copa del Rey semi-final victory against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, despite the Catalans being knocked out 4-3 over two legs.

Barcelona announced: "The recovery timeline for Balde is four weeks," adding no details on Koundes expected absence.

Spanish reports indicate the 27-year-old French international Kounde faces a comparable recovery period.

Beyond the Champions League fixtures, the pair will sit out La Liga matches versus Athletic Bilbao, Sevilla, and Rayo Vallecano.

Barcelona remain without midfielder Frenkie de Jong, who is also dealing with a hamstring issue.

Koundes injury casts doubt on his involvement in Frances late March friendlies against Brazil and Colombia in the United States, ahead of the summers World Cup.

Balde holds Spain international status yet ranks below Marc Cucurella and Alex Grimaldo in manager Luis de la Fuentes selection hierarchy.