Abidal replaced in Barcelona squad by youngster Fontas

Josep Maria Bartomeu, vice-president of Spanish champions Barcelona, said on Thursday that the place of Eric Abidal in the squad would be taken by youngster Andreu Fontas.

Abidal, 31, is set to be out for the rest of the season after doctors on Tuesday detected a tumour on his liver. He will undergo an emergency operation later on Thursday.

Like Abidal, Fontas, 21, can play either in the centre of defence or at left-back. He has been an integral part of Barca's second division nursery team for the past two years.

Abidal's absence has become a serious problem for Barcelona because veteran captain Carles Puyol is still out due to tendinitis in his left knee.

Bartomeu also told radio station RAC-1 that he was "very optimistic" about extending the contract of right-back Dani Alves, which finishes in 2012.