Carles Puyol has failed to recover from injury in time to face Real Betis this weekend after struggling all week to shake off a knock he sustained last Sunday.

The Blaugrana captain withdrew from the Spain squad in midweek against England after limping out of his club side's win against Sporting Gijon.

Now doctors have said that the bruising to a muscle in his left leg has not subsided enough to risk playing against Betis, and Pep Guardiola has agreed.

Rafa Marquez returned from playing for Mexico against the United States on Friday and has gone straight into the Barcelona squad for the trip to Andalucia.

Whether he plays alongside Gerard Pique or Martin Caceres remains to be seen, while Guardiola decides whether to employ a muscular or a technical midfield.

The Barca coach has options after Seydou Keita was declared fit having missed the last three matches and he could take Andres Iniesta's place in the middle to start the match.

While Puyol and Gaby Milito are both out through injury, Victor Sanchez and Pedro have not travelled as they will play for Luis Enrique's B team on Sunday.