Iniesta out for two months with knee injury

FC Barcelona will be without Spain international midfielder Andres Iniesta for around eight weeks after it was confirmed he suffered a knee ligament injury.

Iniesta had to leave Barcelona's 3-2 win in Valencia after just 11 minutes on Saturday after a challenge from Valencia midfielder Enzo Perez left him on the ground clutching his knee. The referee immediately signaled for assistance and the midfielder was carried off the pitch in evident pain.

Early fears were that he could have suffered a broken cruciate ligament injury, but the club quickly confirmed, the injury was not that serious.

According to the club website Iniesta has suffered a "partial injury to the external ligament of his right knee," which almost not as bad as a snapped cruciate ligament, will sideline him for around two months.

That means he will miss at least 12 matches, including the 'Clasico' at home to Real Madrid and the rest of Barca's matches in the group stage of the Champions League, including the trip to play Manchester City in 10 days.

Although Enzo Perez made clear contact with the ball in the challenge which injured Iniesta, Barcelona coach Luis Enrique was unhappy saying "we saw if very clearly from the dugout and he didn't even get booked."

Iniesta joins Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba on Barca's injury list, Pique will be out of action for around three weeks, while Alba is out for a fortnight. Enditem