Puyol had to be stretchered off in the last minute of the game, and is expected to miss Barcelona’s second leg Champions League round of 16 game against Lyon, as well as two La Liga games against Almeria and Malaga.

Barcelona extended their lead at the top of La Liga to six points as rivals Real Madrid could only draw 1-1 against local rivals Atletico.

This adds to the defensive woes of the Blaugrana as Eric Abidal and Gabriel Milito are also out. Pep Guardiola will have to do some defensive re shuffling and hope that it works till Puyol recovers from his ankle injury.

The former Real Madrid and Valladoid custodian is not very highly regarded by Spurs boss Harry Redknapp, who chose to play Heurelho Gomes against Portsmouth despite the Brazilian having an injury. After the game, Redknapp said,  “We need another good goalkeeper and if I’d had confidence in the Spanish keeper [Cesar Sanchez] then I would’ve played him”

Valencia recently parted company with Timo Hildebrand, who has joined German Bundesliga leaders TSG Hoffenheim.

Redknapp is also considering bringing Carlo Cudicini to White Hart Lane as backup for Gomes.