Villarreal have been hit with the news that key defender Mateo Musacchio will be out of action for at least one month with a hamstring injury.

The Argentine, who was strongly linked with a move to the Premier League in the summer, suffered the injury in Saturday's 2-0 home defeat to Real Madrid.

As a result, the 24-year-old has been forced to withdraw from the Argentina squad for their international friendly against China on October 11.

It is thought that the centre-back will return towards the end of next month, but November could be a more realistic target.