Undergoing surgery to combat a knee injury will benefit Gavi's long-term health, believes Hansi Flick as Barcelona prepare to be without the midfielder for up to five months.

On Tuesday, Barca confirmed Gavi will likely be out until February after the 21-year-old had an arthroscopy to resolve a medial meniscus injury.

Gavi only returned from an anterior cruciate ligament tear last season, which forced him to miss Spain's triumph at Euro 2024, and he had not appeared in LaLiga since the international break.

Gavi will not be Barca's only big-name absentee when they visit Real Oviedo for their sixth LaLiga game of the season on Thursday, with Lamine Yamal also missing due to a groin injury, though he could return versus Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League next week.

Asked about Gavi's latest setback at Wednesday's pre-match press conference, Flick said: "When you receive news like this, you think it's bad news. 

"But personally, for him, it's good. Now we know what needs to be done. He is 21 years old and has a very long career ahead of him. 

"You have to think about this, that he gets in shape 100% and stays strong. He must be a professional and work hard."

Barca had two players finish in the top five of the Ballon d'Or voting earlier this week, with Yamal second and Raphinha fifth, as their former forward Ousmane Dembele was crowned the best player in the world.

Pedri ranked 11th, and Flick believes he was at a disadvantage compared to his attacking team-mates.

"When you're an attacker you have more focus." Flick said.

"Pedri is at an incredible level, as is Frenkie [de Jong]. I'm very happy with what I see in training, the mood is very good, and it helps us to continue growing."

While Barca are second in LaLiga with 13 points from five matches, five adrift of Real Madrid with a game in hand, Real Oviedo are 19th with one win and four defeats.

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Real Oviedo – Salomon Rondon

Former Everton striker Rondon has scored two goals in his three previous matches against Barcelona in LaLiga. 

Only against Espanyol (three) has he scored more in his career in the competition, also netting twice against five other clubs.

Barcelona – Robert Lewandowski 

Lewandowski will face Real Oviedo in LaLiga for the first time on Thursday.

The Barcelona star has scored against 20 of the 24 opponents he has faced in LaLiga (71 goals in total), failing only against Almeria, Las Palmas (four matches), Leganes (two), and Levante (one).

MATCH PREDICTION – BARCELONA WIN

Real Oviedo have lost five of their last six LaLiga games (W1), though they won their last match at home, 1-0 against Real Sociedad. 

They have not won two or more games in a row at home in the competition since a run of seven such victories between October and December 2000.

Barca, meanwhile, have won their last six Thursday matches in LaLiga, equalling their longest run of consecutive wins on that day in their entire history (also six between 1929 and 1984).

Real Oviedo won 1-0 in their last LaLiga match against Barca, in May 2001, and they now have the chance to win back-to-back LaLiga games against the Blaugrana for the first time since April 1961 (also two).

Real Oviedo have also scored in each of their last 12 LaLiga matches against Barca (19 goals), their best scoring run against them in the history of the competition.

But while the hosts will be confident of landing a punch, Barca have been in imperious form lately, winning their last three games, and they should make it four on Thursday.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY 

Real Oviedo – 11.5%

Barcelona – 72.9%

Draw – 15.6%