A knee injury sustained on international duty at the weekend has ruled Nuno Valente out of the first game of FC Porto's UEFA Champions League defence.

Knee knock
When the Portuguese and European champions tackle PFC CSKA Moskva on Tuesday, the left-back will be watching from the Estádio do Dragão stands. Nuno Valente took a blow to his knee during Portugal's opening 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying victory in Latvia, forcing him off and out of tonight's home fixture against Estonia.

Season opener
The 29-year-old will therefore be missing when the Dragons begin their SuperLiga season at SC Braga on Saturday. Porto had to postpone their scheduled opening game against UD Leiria due to UEFA Super Cup commitments.