Barcelona face Raphinha doubt for Getafe clash as Flick weighs three replacements

Raphinha is increasingly unlikely to play for Barcelona against Getafe on Saturday, leaving manager Hans-Dieter Flick to decide who will operate as the central striker at Camp Nou.

The Brazil international missed training with his team-mates for a second consecutive day after returning from Australia with swelling in his right thigh. The injury followed his second match for Brazil.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Raphinha’s absence from the starting line-up is now considered the most likely outcome. Neither Barcelona’s medical staff nor the coaching team want to take a risk with the 28-year-old, while the player has also learned from previous experience that he should not return until he has fully recovered.

That would force Flick to select a replacement for a player who has been in outstanding form. Raphinha leads the La Liga scoring charts with 12 goals and has scored 14 times in eight matches overall, including Barcelona’s Champions League game against Feyenoord.

Flick has three main alternatives to cover for him against Getafe.

Gabriel Jesus appears to be the most natural choice. The forward has not suffered from fatigue because he was not selected by Carlo Ancelotti for Brazil’s latest international fixtures.

Anthony Gordon is another possibility. Flick has primarily used the England international as a left-winger, but his recent form could make him a suitable option through the middle. Gordon has scored in each of his last four appearances for England and is enjoying his best start to a season.

Dani Olmo is also under consideration. The Spain international has yet to score for Barcelona this season, but he has supplied three assists in the eight matches he has played.

Olmo also heads back to club football in strong form after setting up three goals in the three Nations League matches he featured in for Spain during the latest international break.

The decision will depend partly on whether Flick receives any positive update on Raphinha’s condition. The Barcelona manager is due to hold his pre-match news conference on Friday, when he may clarify whether the Brazilian has any chance of facing Getafe.