Barca captain Puyol fractures cheek bone

Madrid, Aug 28 (IANS):

Barcelona captain Carles Puyol has broken his right cheek bone, the club confirmed.

The 34-year-old has suffered the same injury on three previous occasions, but it looks as if it is unlikely to stop him from playing, reports Xinhua.

The club issued a communique Monday saying Puyol would undergo a ‘conservative’ treatment, which means he will not undergo an operation. Indeed, Puyol is not ruled out of taking part in the return leg of the Spanish Supercup away to Real Madrid on Wednesday night.

Barcelona defend a 3-2 lead from the first leg and although the club insist Puyol’s presence depends on his evolution in the coming hours, on previous occasions he has played while wearing a mark to protect the injury.

Wednesday’s game could see him face new Real Madrid signing Luka Modric, who was presented to the Real Madrid fans on Monday afternoon after signing a five-year-contract earlier in the day.

In his press conference, 28-year-old Modric said he was in condition to make his debut even though his pre-season preparation has been affected by the long term transfer negotiations between Madrid and his former club, Tottenham Hotspurs.