Del Bosque: Puyol knee injury is major setback

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque says it’s a major blow that centre-back Carles Puyol is set to miss this summer’s European Championship for the defending champions.

The Barcelona player will have arthroscopic surgery after feeling discomfort in his right knee after Saturday’s 4-0 defeat of Espanyol.

With a recovery period around six weeks, the 34-year-old is out of Barca’s final league game at Real Betis this weekend and will also miss coach Pep Guardiola’s last game in charge – the Copa del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao on 25 May.

The world and European champions open their Euro 2012 campaign against Italy on 10 June before going on to play Ireland and Croatia in Group C.

Del Bosque said: “It’s a serious setback, he’s a considerable loss not only for what he gives on the pitch, but for what he contributes to the team [off it].”

Puyol has 99 caps and Del Bosque added: “It’s also a shame this happened when he was on the verge of playing 100 caps.”

Barcelona striker David Villa, who broke a leg at Christmas, is also in a race to be fit.