THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
BARCELONA, Spain — Despite its injury problems in defence, Barcelona has loaned centre back Andreu Fontas to fellow Spanish club Mallorca for the rest of the 2012-13 season.
The 23-year-old Fontas was sidelined from January to August of this year after tearing a ligament in his right knee during a Copa del Rey match.
Barcelona is without centre back Carles Puyol for two months with a dislocated elbow while left back Eric Abidal is recovering from a liver transplant.
Centre back Gerard Pique is expected to return soon after hurting his left foot.
Barcelona leads the Spanish league level on points with Atletico Madrid after seven rounds.