Defender Marco Caneira will miss the start of Valencia CF's group stage campaign after suffering a thigh injury on international duty with Portugal.

Medical tests
The 28-year-old picked up the problem in Portugal's 2-2 UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying draw against Poland on Saturday with tests conducted by the Spanish club's medical staff revealing a 2.5cm-long muscle tear that could keep him out for five weeks. He returned to Valencia this summer after two seasons on loan with Sporting Clube de Portugal. Valencia face FC Schalke 04 in their opening UEFA Champions League Group B tie in Gelsenkirchen on Tuesday, and must also take on Chelsea FC and Rosenborg BK in the section.