Carvalho out for a month

Deco joins fellow Portuguese on the sidelines

Last updated: 22nd September 2008

chelsea ricardo carvalho

Carvalho: Injury setback

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Chelsea have confirmed Ricardo Carvalho is out for up to four weeks, while Deco will be missing for a fortnight.

Carvalho was forced off in the early stages of Chelsea's 1-1 draw with Manchester United on Sunday after picking up a knee injury.

Tests have shown that the Portuguese centre-half has strained a medial collateral ligament and will be sidelined for three to four weeks.

The 30-year-old will now miss several games for the Blues, starting with Wednesday's Carling Cup tie against Portsmouth.

He could also sit out the next two UEFA Champions League group games against CFR Cluj next week and Roma on 22nd October.

However, Chelsea will be hoping that Carvalho will be fit to return for the Premier League game at home to Liverpool on Sunday 26th October.

Meanwhile, Carvalho's fellow Portugal international Deco will be out for two weeks after being diagnosed with a tear in his upper thigh muscle.

Deco suffered the injury in the warm-up before Sunday's stalemate with United and was replaced in the starting line-up by Michael Ballack.

The playmaker is likely to sit out Chelsea's next four matches, but should return after the international break against Middlesbrough.