Barca problems mount as Luis Suarez ruled out for four weeks with knee injury

A statement from the Uruguay national team on Thursday said that the striker had suffered trauma in his right knee during Barca's 2-0 defeat to Madrid the previous day and would be out for between four and five weeks. The Liga side said in a later statement he would be out for four weeks.

Suarez was seen limping towards the end of the game against Real, but remained on the pitch as coach Ernesto Valverde had used his three substitutes.

The injury news means that the Calatan club will field just one of last season's much-heralded 'MSN' front three, with Neymar now plying his trade at Barcelona and Suarez out for at least four league matches.

The 30-year-old will miss Barca's opening league game at home against Real Betis on Sunday, as well as matches against Alaves, Espanyol and Getafe.

He will also be absent from Uruguay's FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Argentina and Paraguay, and could miss Barca's opening Champions League group game which is scheduled for next month.

Barca also said that defender Gerard Pique sustained a groin strain during the 2-0 defeat to Madrid and was a doubt for the game against Betis.