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Barca's Iniesta likely to miss Valencia game

Leaders Barcelona will almost certainly be without Andres Iniesta for Saturday's La Liga game at home to Valencia as he has not recovered sufficiently from a bruised pelvis, coach Luis Enrique said on Friday.

Midfielder Iniesta had to be replaced by Xavi eight minutes into the second half of Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg at Paris St Germain, after tangling with PSG midfielder Javier Pastore.

"He is much better but he didn't train so in principle and barring a miracle he won't be in the squad," Luis Enrique told a news conference.

Barca can go five points clear of second-placed Real Madrid, who host Malaga in a later kickoff, with a win at the Nou Camp, although it promises to be a tough match as Valencia are fourth and on a 10 match unbeaten run.

In his first season in charge, Luis Enrique's side have a chance of repeating 2009's treble of Champions League and Spanish league and Cup titles. (Writing by Iain Rogers in Madrid, editing by Douglas Beattie)

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