Barcelona defender Dani Alves is set to miss at least three weeks of action for the Blaugrana, after suffering a torn thigh muscle in his right leg in the surprise 2-1 defeat to Rubin Kazan in the UEFA Champions League.

The Brazilian full-back was injured in the latter stages of the game and had to be replaced in stoppage time, and coach Pep Guardiola later described the injury as "very bad news" for Alves and for the club.

The former Sevilla defender is likely to miss the Blaugrana's next three Primera Liga fixtures, and the return match against Rubin in the Champions League.

The exact length of his expected absence will not be known until Wednesday, when the player will have a scan to determine the full extent of the injury, according to Sport.

It is further bad news for the coach, who knows that his side still have it all to do to progress from their group with three games remaining, as they are still required to travel away to Russia and Ukraine.