In this Oct 2, 2019 photo, Barcelona's Dutch midfielder Frenkie De Jong kicks the ball during the UEFA Champions League Group F football match between Barcelona and Inter Milan at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona. (JOSEP LAGO / AFP)

BARCELONA - Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong is set to miss the team’s next match against Athletic Bilbao after the club said in a statement on Sunday he had injured the calf muscle in his right leg.

Frankie de Jong joined Barca from Ajax Amsterdam last year for US$83.81m and has appeared in 27 of their 30 league games this season

Dutch international De Jong missed Friday’s 0-0 draw away to Sevilla which dented Barca’s hopes of winning the Spanish title, with coach Quique Setien saying before the game he was leaving the player out as a precaution.

The injury proved worse than feared as the club released a medical report on Sunday, saying the player was unable to train although did not say when he would be able to return.

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Barca lead Real Madrid by three points in the standings but have played one game more than Zinedine Zidane’s side, who will go top of the table if they beat Real Sociedad later on Sunday.

Setien’s side visit struggling Celta Vigo after Tuesday’s match against Athletic before a crunch home game against third-placed Atletico Madrid the following Wednesday.

De Jong joined Barca from Ajax Amsterdam last year for 75 million euros (US$83.81 million) and has appeared in 27 of their 30 league games this season.