Lúcio ruled out after ankle tear

Summer signing Lúcio is expected to miss Juventus' UEFA Champions League return after twisting his right ankle in training on Friday.

The 34-year-old Brazilian defender joined the Bianconeri from FC Internazionale Milano in July but missed the 2-0 victory against Parma FC as the champions kicked off the defence of their Serie A title on Saturday. An official Juventus statement said scans revealed a tear of Lúcio's anterior talofibular ligament, with fears that he would be sidelined for up to four months, ruling him out of the club's entire group stage campaign.

However, the injury is not as severe as first thought, and new estimates suggest a period of 30 to 40 days out of action. Juve are now waiting to find out their opponents in the Champions League draw on 30 August, as they return to the competition's group stage for the first time since the 2009/10 season.