Flick urges Rashford to step up for Barcelona

Barcelonacoach Hansi Flick said he gaveRaphinhatime off to clear his mind after he was left devastated by his recent injury, while urgingMarcus Rashfordto step up in the absence of theBrazilinternational.

Raphinha, 29, injured his right hamstring in Brazil's defeat toFrancelast week,ruling him outfor five weeks.

He will miss the upcoming trilogy of matches againstAtlético Madrid, including theChampions Leaguequarterfinal tie, and would also be sidelined for a potential semifinal.

"It's not the best moment for this injury, for us or for him," Flick said in a news conference ahead of Saturday's visit to Atlético inLaLiga.

"He was sad about this and we're not happy."

It's the third time this season Raphinha has injured the same hamstring, having already missed 16 games for club and country in the current campaign with the problem.

Flick spoke with him after Brazil's game against France in Boston and, along with sporting director Deco, took the decision to let him spend some time back in his homeland.

"I talked to him on FaceTime and he was very disappointed, very down, so I decided with Deco that [he could spend time in Brazil]," Flick said.

"Normally we want the players here, but he's in good hands and maybe he can clear his mind, come back this weekend and start on Monday.

"This is why I gave him some days in Brazil with his family, to clear his mind. It was clear for us."

Raphinha could return for theClásicoagainstReal Madridon May 10 at Spotify Camp Nou, but in the meantime Rashford may get a chance to convince Barça to take up their option to make his loan permanent for €30 million ($34.6m) this summer.

Due to Raphinha's form and his own injury problems, theEnglandforward has started just one of Barça's last 10 games, but after featuring twice for his country this week he could start at the Metropolitano this weekend.

"I am happy with Marcus because he's performed well," Flick said of theManchester Unitedforward, who has 10 goals and 13 assists in 39 appearances this season.

"In the last weeks he had some problems, he was injured, we had to take care about that. It's a good chance now for him to show again, but we have other options [to replace Raphinha].

"Fermín [López] can play there;Gavialso can play there. I am happy Gavi is back on this level. We will see. We have more options."

Flick also said thatJules Koundé,Alejandro BaldeandEric Garcíahave all recovered from knocks and are available to face Atlético, althoughFrenkie de Jongwill not return to training until next week.

Barça go into the final stretch of the season sitting top of LaLiga, four points clear of Real Madrid, with Atlético fourth, 16 points off the pace.

Saturday's meeting between the two teams is the first of three in 11 days, with Barça welcoming Atlético in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal tie on Wednesday and the second leg taking place in Madrid the following Tuesday.

The winners will face eitherArsenalor Sporting Club in the semifinal.