FC Barcelona have a Copa del Rey game up next against Racing Santander, set to take place tomorrow, and, ahead of the match, it has emerged that they will be without a talented 18-year-old who has suffered an injury.
According to [SPORT](https://www.sport.es/es/noticias/barca/dro-molestias-sera-baja-racing-125670918), La Masia starlet Dro Fernandez, who has been in and around the first team since pre-season, even making a start or two, did not train ahead of the game and will miss Barcelona’s trip to face the La Liga 2 leaders.
The teenager is said to be carrying some physical discomfort, which is a shame, as this is a game where he could realistically have seen minutes. Dro is a fringe player at the moment, and the [Copa del Rey is a great avenue for first-team opportunities for youngsters](https://semprebarca.com/barcelona-set-for-rotation-as-they-face-real-racing-club-in-copa-del-rey/).
Barcelona, however, do not want to take any chances with the Spaniard, and understandably so. He is still very young and has a long career ahead of him, and it makes no sense to take him to face Racing, given the options at Hansi Flick’s disposal.
Even the Spain U-18 national team has released Dro Fernandez from their squad after noting his discomfort. It was initially expected that he would recover in time, but La Roja have decided to err on the side of caution.
Barcelona have been working on a potential contract renewal for the teenager, now that he has turned 18. It is no secret that Hansi Flick rates him highly, and the Spaniard is now expected to remain in Barcelona as he looks to make a swift return from this injury.