Dembele to miss 5 weeks as Barca's injury problems mount

Barcelona's injury crisis continues to worsen.

Ousmane Dembele will miss the next five weeks with a left hamstring strain, the club announced Monday.

The Frenchman's ailment comes in the wake of injuries to attacking mates Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. The former missed Barca's season-opening defeat to Athletic Bilbao with a calf problem, while the Uruguayan left that contest in the opening half with the same issue.

With the trio out injured, and Philippe Coutinho officially completing his move to Bayern Munich, Ernesto Valverde is suddenly short on attacking options heading into Sunday's clash with Real Betis.

Marquee summer signing Antoine Griezmann will almost certainly lead the line, but - assuming Messi is out once again - Valverde will need to get creative to make up for the lack of firepower.