Andres Iniesta has been ruled out of Barcelona's clash with Levante on Sunday with a bout of flu.

The Spain international sat out the Catalans' final training session on the eve of the game at Camp Nou after being laid low by the virus, but it was hoped he would recover in time to retain his place in the starting line-up.

However, Iniesta, who netted the second goal in Barca's 3-1 Copa del Rey win over Villarreal in midweek, has now been forced to withdraw from the squad.

Barca also revealed that goalkeeper Jordi Masip will miss the game through injury, joining long-term absentees Douglas and Thomas Vermaelen and the suspended Dani Alves on the sidelines.

The Blaugrana, who are on an 10-game winning streak in all competitions, need to triumph at Camp Nou in order to move back to within a single point of Liga leaders Real Madrid, who saw off Deportivo 2-0 on Saturday night.