BARCELONA defender Eric Abidal is to have surgery on a tumour in his liver today, a day earlier than planned, the Spanish champions said yesterday.

The club, who announced the rescheduled operation on their website (www.fcbarcelona.cat), have not released details about the kind of tumour the 31-year-old French international has and it remains unclear how long he will be out of action.

His absence for any length of time will be a severe blow to the La Liga leaders.