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Injuries to Neymar, Jordi Alba add to Barcelona’s woes

Barcelona hosts fourth-place Athletic Bilbao on Sunday without suspended midfielder Sergio Busquets.

Brazil striker Neymar and Spain’s Alba should be back fit in time for the World Cup starting June 13. (Reuters)

Barcelona will be without Neymar and Jordi Alba for the final month of the season after both were injured during the Copa del Rey final loss to Real Madrid on Wednesday.Both players will likely miss all five rounds remaining in the Spanish league, further hurting Barcelona’s chances of defending its title.

Brazil striker Neymar, and Spain’s Alba, should be back fit in time for the World Cup starting on June 12.

Barcelona says Neymar picked up a “contusion” on his left foot during the cup final, which ended with Neymar’s shot hitting the post in the 90th minute.

Alba was substituted at halftime because of a muscle tear in his right leg. Defender Marc Bartra will be a day-to-day decision as he recovers from a muscle pull.

Barcelona hosts fourth-place Athletic Bilbao on Sunday without suspended midfielder Sergio Busquets.

Barcelona is in third place, four points behind league leader Atletico Madrid.

Barcelona’s defeat in the King’s Cup final means La Liga is their only chance of major silverware and anything other than a home win against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday would almost certainly end their dwindling title hopes.