Barcelona rocked by Puyol injury setback

The Blaugrana will be without their captain for up to a month after he suffered a recurrence of a knee problem in Tuesday's Champions League win over AC Milan

Barcelona have been rocked after captain Carles Puyol underwent knee surgery on Friday.

It is estimated the veteran will be out of action for up to 45 days and it appears certain that he will miss both of the Catalans' Champions League semi-final clashes with Paris Saint-Germain.

Puyol came on as a substitute during his side's emphatic comeback victory against AC Milan on Tuesday evening, but after complaining of discomfort, Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque decided not to include him in his squad for the upcoming World Cup 2014 qualifiers with France and Finland.

It is not the first time the centre-back's right knee has caused him problems, with the 33-year-old also sidelined last May with a similar problem.

Puyol recently signed a new three-year deal at Camp Nou.