Andres Iniesta set to be sidelined for "a long time" after suffering knee injury

Iniesta was carried off on a stretcher just 14 minutes into the clash at the Mestalla after being injured during a challenge with Valencia midfielder Enzo Perez

Barca confirmed Iniesta had damaged the lateral collateral ligament in his right knee and that he will undergo further tests when he returns to Barcelona to find out the severity of the injury.

It is not yet known how long Iniesta will be out for, but Luis Enrique is braced for the worst.

He said in his post-match press conference: "We will have to wait and see what the full extent of the damage is. But he's going to be out for a long time."

Barca recovered from the early loss of their long-serving playmaker by recording a 3-2 win that sent them to the top of LaLiga, with the leading trio at the start of the day - Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid and Sevilla - all in action on Sunday.

However, it was far from comfortable for the reigning champions, who had to battle back from 2-1 down and only claimed the victory thanks to a stoppage-time Lionel Messi penalty - his second goal of the match.

Luis Enrique, who saw his side's half-time lead overturned by two quick-fire Valencia goals at the start of the second half, said: "We dominated at first and could have been leading by a lot more. Then in five manic minutes the game got away from us, but luckily we got back level and mounted a comeback. Towards the end of the game, the team showed that they are very much alive.

"The way this game panned out says so much about this team, and they showed character right until the end. This was one of those days where collective effort shone through - the players showed how good they are at overcoming adversities."

New Valencia boss Cesare Prandelli believes his side should be proud of their performance despite missing out on a draw in the dying minutes of the match.

"The team responded very well and the fans created a magnificent atmosphere," Prandelli told the club's website.

"We prepared for the game well, it was a complicated match from a physical and competitive perspective. We should be proud.

"It is necessary to keep our organisation and improving. We need to keep on this road and work each day.

"The result will be easier to take on board during the week if we concentrate on what we have done well."