06.02.2015 18:19 h

Bilbao's Iturraspe faces six weeks out

Athletic Bilbao's Spanish international defensive midfielder Ander Iturraspe could be out for up to six weeks with a knee injury picked up in the La Liga match against Levante last weekend.

The defensive lynchpin, 25, who has played twice for Spain and has been at Bilbao since 2008, is now set to miss Barcelona's visit in top flight action on Sunday.

"The estimated period of absence will be between four and six weeks," read a club statement.

Bilbao, are currently 11th in La Liga and a distant 31 points behind leaders Real Madrid, as they also get set for a Spanish Cup semi-final first-leg fixture against Espanyol at home on Wednesday.