Barcelona have been handed an injury blow ahead of the new season with the news that defender Marc Muniesa will miss six months with knee ligament damage.

PA PhotosMuniesa will be out of action until the new year

Muniesa, 20, suffered the injury as Barcelona took on Hamburg in their opening pre-season encounter on Tuesday night, with tests on Wednesday confirming a snapped anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

It is yet to be decided if the youngster will face surgery, but Barcelona have announced on their website that he will face an expected six months on the sidelines.

It had been thought that Muniesa, a Spain Under-21 international, would play an increased role in Barca's first-team in the coming season after the departure of Eric Abidal.