Barcelona defender Eric Abidal could miss up to three weeks of action after he suffered a thigh injury on international duty.

The 30-year-old full-back picked up the injury during France's World Cup play-off victory over the Republic of Ireland last Saturday.

Abidal was given permission to leave the France squad on Sunday and return to his club for further tests, where a scan revealed the full extent of the injury and ruled him out of the return leg in Paris tonight.

He is certain to miss the trip to San Mames to face Athletic Bilbao this weekend and the crucial UEFA Champions League tie against Inter Milan at the Camp Nou next week.

Barca's medical staff are hopeful that Abidal will recover in time for their crucial La Liga tie against rivals Real Madrid on November 29, but his availability depends on how the injury responds to physiotherapy.