Barcelona center-back Samuel Umtiti could be out for six months following a serious knee ligament damage.
Ernesto Valverde is now left with three central defenders after the France international's serious injury on his left knee.
The Spanish champions now have Gerard Pique, Clement Lenglet and Thomas Vermaelen at their disposal.
La Blaugrana suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to relegation threatened-side in a midweek La Liga fixture.
Pique who is a reliable figure in the backline has made a series of high-profile errors with Umtiti the main man in the back four.
It now left for Valverde to consider a new signing in the January transfer window to increase his defensive options.
Frenchman Lenglet is yet to grow accustomed to his new team after his summer move from Sevilla and is currently serving a three match ban for an elbowing incident against Girona.
Former Arsenal star Vermaelen who was deployed into right back in Barca's loss to Leganes has barely played for the La Liga club due to a spate of injuries.
Umtiti committed his future to remain at the Camp Nou till 2023 this summer ending a speculative move to Manchester United.
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