Jordi Alba to miss Barcelona’s clash with Athletic Bilbao due to suspension

Barcelona will have to cope without Jordi Alba for their next La Liga clash against Athletic Bilbao due to suspension.

The left-back picked up his fifth yellow card of the season in Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Valencia and will serve an automatic one-match ban.

He will be available for Wednesday’s Copa del Rey semi-final first leg against Real Madrid but will have to sit out the trip to San Mames.

The news will be a blow for Ernesto Valverde due to Alba’s brilliant form this season and also because there’s no obvious replacement.

Sergi Roberto has played at left-back this season and is an option, as is Barcelona B’s Juan Miranda, while Thomas Vermaelen can also play on the left of the back four.