Valencia coach Marcelino got injured while celebrating victory against Sociedad

Valencia manager Marcelino injured himself celebrating Simone Zaza’s late winner against Real Sociedad on Sunday.

The late winner produced wild scenes on the bench – but the Valencia boss, who was appointed in the summer, perhaps would end up regretting his surge of joy down the touchline after seeming to tweak his hamstring in the celebrations.

Despite looking in agony on the sidelines, he was fit enough to undertake his post-match media duties to suggest that his injury may not keep him out of action for too long.

But he managed to laugh off the pain and told AS: “As long as it’s only me getting injured, it’s not a problem if it’s the coach.

“I pulled it quite hard. I’m getting on a bit, after all.

“Those are situations in which I should control myself better. I’ve come away with a bit of a limp.”

Barcelona striker Luis Suarez out for one month; deals for Dembele and Coutinho ‘close’

Barcelona have suffered a blow on the eve of the new La Liga season after Luis Suarez was ruled out for a month with a knee injury.

Suarez was hurt during the second leg of the Spanish Super Cup against Real Madrid,which La Liga champions won 2-0 at the Bernabeu to clinch a 5-1 aggregate victory.

Suarez will definitely miss Barca’s league opener against Real Betis and further fixtures against Alaves and Espanyol, with the trip to Getafe on September 17 representing a potential opportunity to return to action.

A statement published on Barca’s website on Thursday afternoon said medical tests on Suarez had revealed damage to the back of his right knee.

Defender Gerard Pique, meanwhile, has injured an adductor muscle and could also miss Sunday’s meeting with Betis.

Reinforcements may be on their way, though, with Barca general manager Pep Segura on Wednesday claiming the signings of Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele, from Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund respectively, are “close”.

Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish out for three months after kidney rupture

Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish will be out for at least three months after damaging one of his kidneys.

The England Under-21 international suffered the injury in the first half of Saturday’s pre-season friendly against Watford.

Villa manager Steve Bruce told BBC WM: “It’s very painful and he’s still in hospital, which tells you something about the extent of the injury.

“We wish him a speedy recovery because the kid’s still in a lot of pain.”

Meanwhile, Ivory Coast international Jonathan Kodjia is expected to be out of action for at least one more month as he continues his recovery from the broken ankle he suffered at the end of last season.

With Grealish set for a prolonged absence, Bruce said that his ability to replace the 21-year-old could be hampered by Financial Fair Play regulations.

Celtic’s Dedryck Boyata ruled out for three months

Celtic defender Dedryck Boyata is out for up to three months with a knee injury.

Belgium international Boyata was substituted in a friendly against Slavia Prague earlier this week after straining his medial knee ligament.

The news was confirmed by Celtic assistant manager Chris Davies as the team prepared to fly out to Ireland for a friendly against Shamrock Rovers on Saturday.

“It looks like a pretty bad knee injury,” Davies said.

“It’s really disappointing for Dedryck. He did really well for us for the last six months of last season and was in good form.

“We are all disappointed for him, but no doubt he will do the work he has to do in rehab and come back even stronger and better.

“The timeline we are looking at, at the minute is up to three months, but we’re always optimistic and we will see what we can do.”
Boyata’s injury could affect Celtic’s transfer plans with only Erik Sviatchenko and Jozo Simunovic fit at centre-back.

When asked whether Boyata’s injury would influence Celtic’s transfer priorities, Davies said: “With Dedryck being out that’s obviously something we are aware of now and something that we will discuss. We will see what needs to

be done.”

Davies added: “Like we have said before, we want to retain the players we have got here at the minute, we are happy with what we have got. If the right player becomes available and we can do the right business for the club, then we will look at that.”