Madrid, Dec 30 (DPA) Spanish football champions Barcelona has said veteran captain Carles Puyol will be out of action for around 10 days.
Tests have revealed that Puyol, 32, has a torn abductor muscle in his right leg. He suffered the injury in Tuesday’s friendly match between the Catalan regional team and Honduras, which the Catalans won 4-0.
The World Cup-winning defender will miss the upcoming league match at home to Levante and the King’s Cup clash away to Athletic Bilbao.
Barca coach Pep Guardiola will have to improvise a new defence against Espanyol because Gerard Pique, Puyol’s usual central defensive partner, is suspended.
Barca are two points ahead of second-placed Real Madrid atop La Liga.
