AP Photo/Manu Fernandez

The H1N1 virus is taking its toll on FC Barcelona with both Eric Abidal and Yaya Toure out of commission after contracting the virus.

You can now add Rafa Marquez to that list, though test results have not yet been confirmed, but the Mexican defender is displaying all the common symptoms.

Jasper Juinen/Getty Images

Ahead of Barcelona's match against Athletic Club Bilbao the team was handed another blow going into a very important week for the team. Eric Abidal was diagnosed with the H1N1 virus also known as "swine flu" on top of already being sidelined for up to three weeks with a leg injury.

Angel Martinez/Getty Images

Zlatan Ibrahimovic suffered a slight leg strain back on Nov. 7 against Mallorca that kept the striker out of international duty with Sweden this past week. Ibrahimovic began training this week in preparation for Saturday's match on the road against Athletic Club Bilbao.

Angel Martinez/Getty Images

Zlatan Ibrahimovic was Barcelona's big money signing in the summer with Samuel Eto'o and a reported £40 million going in the opposite direction to Inter Milan. Few can doubt that Ibrahimovic has ability and on his day is one of the best forwards in the world, however many have criticized him for his work rate and not everyone was convinced he would cut it in Spain.

FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images

Barcelona received the bad news that they were dreading today regarding defender Eric Abidal. Team doctors confirmed the left leg injury that Abidal suffered in France's World Cup playoff match against Ireland.

The injury comes at a very bad time with the matches coming up in the next week against Inter Milan and Real Madrid.

REUTERS/Albert Gea

Dmytro Chygrynskiy on Thursday received clearance to return to training following a knee injury back on Sept. 26 against Malaga.

Chygrynskiy completed his first full training session on Friday since the injury and was immediately examined by doctors. Following the examination the medical staff gave Chygrynskiy a clean bill of health and was given clearance to return to the team.

REUTERS/Gustau Nacarino

Barcelona fans can breathe a little easier this morning because the team has announced that they have reached a tentative agreement with captain Carles Puyol for a contract extension until 2013. The announcement ends weeks of speculation that had Puyol leaving the Camp Nou for the Premiership or Serie A when his contract expired in June.

REUTERS/Albert Gea

Late in the second half of yesterdays Champions League defeat against Rubin Kazan Dani Alves came up limp following a routine play. No contact was made with Alves but following a pass he hobbled and then went down. Guardiola immediately substituted Busquets in for the injured Alves.

FC Barcelona's heart and soul in the midfield is questionable for Saturdays big match up against Valencia. The Spanish international returned back to Barcelona early from his international duty following a knee injury suffered in Spain's 2-1 victory over Armenia.

Xavi participated in training sessions on Wednesday following the confirmation by team doctors that in fact he had suffered a knee injury.

PHILIPPE DESMAZES/AFP/Getty Images

According to Sport.es Barcelona have become increasingly concerned about Carles Puyol and Rafael Marquez contracts and have issued an ultimatum to the defensive pair. The two have been exteremely loyal to Barcelona in the past but as January 1st approaches the players can begin to talk to other team about contracts for next season.

AP Photo/Manu Fernandez

Rafael Marquez spoke to the media in Mexico as he prepares for international duty with the Mexican national team in World Cup qualifying. Marquez talked about his contract with FC Barcelona which ends in June of 2010.

Marquez has seen less playing time over the past season and a half due to injury and the emergence of Gerard Pique.

REUTERS/Felix Ordonez

Thierry Henry is doubtful for Tuesdays Champions League match against Dynamo Kiev after suffering a muscle strain early in the first half of Saturdays match against Malaga. The absence of Henry from the lineup along with Bojan Krkic still out due to injury has opened the door for youngster Gai Assulin to be named to the first team roster.

AP Photo/Manu Fernandez

The ankle injury sustained by Zlatan Ibrahimovic this past weekend against Racing Santander does not look to be as bad as originally feared. The Swedish striker was diagnosed with an ankle sprain following the team victory over Santander and was to miss this weekends match.

LLUIS GENE/AFP/Getty Images

In the second half of FC Barcelona's victory over Racing Santander, Zlatan Ibrahimovic suffered an ankle injury. The Swedish striker suffered the injury as he challenged Henrique for the ball, coming down awkwardly on his right foot. Ibrahimovic continued in the match for a few minutes following the injury but was then replaced by Pedro.

REUTERS/Paul Hanna

FC Barcelona today secured the best player in the world until 2016 when Lionel Messi signed a two year contract extension. The new deal will see that the Argentine international play what will likely be his most productive years at the Nou Camp.

Messi was under contract with the blaugrana until 2014 with a large 150 million euro buyout clause on his contract.

Jasper Juinen/Getty Images

Lionel Messi is ready to sign a seven year contract extension at FC Barcelona making him not only the top paid in Europe but keeping with the blaugrana for years to come.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has been in negotiations with Lionel's father and agent Jorge and according to Laporta an agreement is "now close to being concluded.

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

The heart and soul of FC Barcelona, captain Carles Puyol, who has been with the team since the age of 17 has brought questions as to whether or not he will be signing a new contract with the team.

The Spanish international and the rock in the Barcelona backfield is under contract until the end of this season.

AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano

FC Barcelona defender Gabriel Milito arrived in El Prat Airport on Wednesday after spending four months in Argentina recovering from a right knee injury suffered back in April 2008. Since joining Barcelona from Zaragoza in July 2007 Milito has only appeared in 27 matches for the blaugrana.

REUTERS/Albert Gea

For FC Barcelona's second match of the La Liga season Pep Guardiola will have two of his stars back on the roster. Both Andres Iniesta and Rafa Marquez will receive medical clearance on Wednesday meaning that they will be on the roster against Getafe. Guardiola has already confirmed that both players will start on the bench this weekend after receiving medical clearance.

AP Photo/David Ramos

In an interview with Radio Gazette FC Barcelona President Joan Laporta made it clear that captain Carles Puyol will be signing a new contract with the team that would have him retiring at the Camp Nou. Laporta commented "we have already met with Puyol's agent and soon there will be a renewal, the coach is counting on him and the board is very proud to have Carles Puyol as captain.

LLUIS GENE/AFP/Getty Images

Tonight the transfer deadline passed with FC Barcelona making three moves, all of which were no surprise.

Since the end of last season there had been talk that Eidur Gudjohnsen would be leaving the club because he was unhappy with the amount of playing time he was receiving under Pep Guardiola.

AP Photo/Claude Paris

It was reported yesterday by Barcaloco.com that Lionel Messi would be taking home the UEFA Footballer of the Year award and it was confirmed today in Monaco. Messi also won the UEFA forward of the year for his great performance in Champions League play last season with nine goals.

FC Barcelona star Lionel Messi will be presented tomorrow with the Footballer of the Year award in Monaco.

Messi beat out fellow teammates Xavi, Iniesta, Valdes and ex-striker Samuel Eto'o. With his brilliant performance last year helping his team complete the treble he dethrones this year nominee and last year winner Cristiano Ronaldo.

REUTERS/Murad Sezer

The deal manager Pep Guardiola wanted most is finally complete after weeks of negotiation. 22 year old Ukrainian international and ex-Shakhtar Donetsk center back Dmytro Chygrynskiy will be coming to the Camp Nou. Shakhtar Donetsk president Rinat Akhmetov agreed to the terms of the transfer after Joan Laporta was determined to satisfy Guardiola's desire for a defender.

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

Word out of Barcelona this morning is that midfielder Andrés Iniesta will receive medical clearance to rejoin the team. According to statements on the player's official website, Iniesta excepts to be with the team for the UEFA Supercup on Friday against Shakhtar Donetsk in Monaco.

AP Photo/Paul White

FC Barcelona and goalkeeper Albert Jorquera today decided to cancel the players contract with the team. Jorquera's contract was scheduled to expire in June 2010 but FC Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola had decided that they will part ways with the 30 year old.

Jorquera had been part of the Barcelona system for 15 years, six with the senior squad and nine with the youth squad.

AP Photo/Paul White

According to reports this morning from El Mundo Deportivo, manager Pep Guardiola is willing to have just two keepers on the squad this season. Reportedly, Guardiola has asked the club to terminate Albert Jorquera's contract. Jorquera was told at the end of last season that his services were no longer needed, but since then the 30 year old keeper has turned down every offer that has come his way this summer.

AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos

Pedro Rodríguez Ledesma today signed an improved contract with FC Barcelona that secures his inclusion with the senior squad until 2014. The release clause of the contract has also been raised now to 75 million euros.

Pedro came up under Pep Guardiola on the youth squad and last year got his first taste of the senior squad playing six league matches, four Champions League matches and three in the cup.

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

Lionel Messi today has been given medical clearance to play in the Gamper on Wednesday against Manchester City. Messi had been sidelined since last week when he suffered a left thigh injury in practice. He was not able to play in the Argentine friendly or this past Sunday against Athletic Club Bilbao.

AP Photo/Manu Fernandez

We have waited for three weeks and the wait will soon be over. Zlatan Ibrahimovic will make his debut for the blaugrana on Wednesday when the team takes on Manchester City at Camp Nou. Ibrahimovic signed for FC Barcelona on July 27 but due to a broken hand was unable to take part in any of the teams preseason matches.

LLUIS GENE/AFP/Getty Images

UEFA announced the 12 nominees for their Football Player of the Year award and six of the nominees are/were FC Barcelona players. Samuel Eto'o is nominated for his run of goals last season but has since moved on to the San Siro.

The list of players nominated for the award to be handed out on August 27 in Monte Carlo include:

Goalkeeper: Petr Cech (Chelsea), Victor Valdes (Barcelona), Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United)

Defender: Gerard Pique (Barcelona), John Terry (Chelsea), Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United)

Midfielder: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta (both Barcelona)

Forward: Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi (both Barcelona), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)

AP Photo/Tim Hales

Barcelona officially announced that midfielder Victor Sánchez was transferred to newly promoted Xerez. Sánchez can however be bought back on June 30, 2010 if the team desires at no cost, as part of the deal worked out between the two teams.

Sánchez joined Barcelona in 2005 playing under Guardiola on the B team.

REUTERS/Albert Gea

FC Barcleona has finalized a not so secrect deal between Martin Cáceres and Juventus. The deal will send the 22 year old defender to the Italian side for a one year loan deal. There is also an option in the clause for the team to buy the player outright at the end of the year for €11 million plus €1 million in variable payments.

AP Photo/Gus Ruelas

This morning at 9:36 AM at the University of Washington Zlatan Ibrahimovic took part in his first training session as a member of FC Barcelona. Ibrahimovic has been sidelined since signing with the blaugrana on July 27th. His training session was kept somewhat light however as to not risk infection near the stitches were his hand had to be surgically repaired.

AP Photo/Gus Ruelas

After three months of recovery from a knee injury suffered in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals against Chelsea, Rafael Márquez will makes his return to FC Barcelona's lineup tonight. Márquez spoke to Barça TV regarding his inability to play due to injury saying, " after three months out with this injury it's not easy to get back into the rhythm I had before, but I'm desperate to get back onto the pitch".