Luiz Felipe Scolari has been dealt a double injury blow with the news that key players Ricardo Carvalho and Deco are likely to be unavailable for some time. Both players picked up the injuries last week. Carvalho was hurt during the game against Manchester United, whereas Deco picked up a problem in the pre-game warm up.

Portuguese defender Carvalho is expected to miss around four weeks of the season. Club doctors have confirmed that the 30 year has suffered strained medial ligaments and so he will be targeting Chelsea’s crucial game against Liverpool at the end of October as the likely time for his return.

Deco is likely to recover much more quickly. The former Barcelona playmaker has torn his upper thigh muscle, but the club expects him to be available within two weeks. Scolari hopes to have Deco available after the forthcoming international break.