Barcelona star Philippe Coutinho travels to Brazil for expert treatment after further issues with knee injury that has kept him out of action for THREE MONTHS – with ‘fears growing he will miss the rest of the season’
- Philippe Coutinho has travelled to Brazil for treatment on ongoing knee injury
- The playmaker has not featured for Barca since December 29 against Eibar
- A return date of three months was initially set but he has suffered setbacks
- There are now fears growing he will not feature again for Barca this season
Barcelona have confirmed midfielder Philippe Coutinho has travelled to Brazil for expert treatment after further issues with an ongoing knee injury.
The 28-year-old has not featured for Barca since being forced off against Eibar on December 29. The Catalan club decided to send Coutinho for surgery in the early days of 2021 with a return time of three months set.
However, a report from Marca indicate the Brazilian has suffered a a succession of setbacks in his recovery, with fears growing he won’t play again this season.
Philippe Coutinho has travelled to Brazil for expert treatment on ongoing knee injury
As a result, Coutinho has been sent back to his native country after a consultation in Qatar failed to reach a conclusion to the problem.
There was speculation Coutinho would have to go under the knife for a second time, which would almost certainly rule him out for the season, but Barca have denied those claims.
That said, Coutinho is in a race against time to be fit to pay again this season, with further evaluation of the problem expected in Brazil before a return date is set.
The playmaker has not featured for Barca since December 29 and underwent surgery
It is the latest frustration for Coutinho since joining Barca, with the midfielder struggling to live up to the £140m fee paid for him at the start of 2018 after joining from Liverpool.
Sportsmail reported last week that Ronald Koeman was eager to offload the Brazilian with the playmaker edging closer to triggering a £17m payment agreed when he joined.
This clause is believed to be triggered when Coutinho reaches 100 games for the cash-strapped club. He is currently on 90.
Fears are growing that Coutinho won’t play again this season after suffering setbacks
