体坛英语新闻：FC Barcelona prepares for Sporting test

MADRID, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola needs to find a replacement for injured striker Leo Messi ahead of his side's home game against Sporting Gijon on Wednesday night.

Messi will be out of action for two weeks with a twisted ankle that he picked up in Sunday's 2-1 away win against Atletico Madrid.

The loss of arguably the best player in the World is a setback for Barcelona, but Guardiola has options when it comes to replacing his star player.

One option is to bring midfielder Seydou Keita into midfield and push Andres Iniesta into a role on the left of the attack, where he would play alongside David Villa and Pedro Rodriguez.

Another alternative is to bring young striker Bojan Krkic directly into the starting lineup, while a different solution would see recent arrival Javier Mascherano play in midfield alongside Sergio Busquets.

Guardiola has no other injury worries, but the Barcelona fans will be keen to see their team confirm the improved form it has shown in the last two games: a 5-1 thrashing of Panathinaikos and the 2-1 triumph against Atletico.

Those wins have helped erase the memory of Barcelona's disappointing home debut, where they suffered a shock defeat to newly promoted Hercules.

Sporting travels to the Camp Nou on the back of a home win against Mallorca and a 2-2 draw against Athletic Club on Saturday night, however, Manolo Preciado's side lost its only away game so far 4-0 against Atletico Madrid.

History is on Barcelona's side as it is 24 years since their rivals last won in the Camp Nou. That was a historic 4-0 win and Barcelona's goalkeeper on that occasion, Andoni Zubizarreta, is now the Director of Sport at the Camp Nou.

Sporting have injury problems of their own with striker Nacho Novo sidelined with a hamstring injury that will put him out of action for two weeks.