Barcelona have confirmed goalkeeper Neto will miss between six and eight weeks of first-team action due to a fracture in his left hand.
It is claimed that the shot-stopper will miss at least one-and-a-half months of competitive football due to the injury – a fracture of the scaphoid bone in his left hand.
The Brazilian has enjoyed a strong pre-season to date including a star performance in the recent victory over Napoli in the United States.
He was never likely to be Barcelona’s first choice goalkeeper this campaign due to the former of established number one Marc-Andre Ter Stegen at the club.
Neto arrived at the Camp Nou this summer after two seasons as Valencia’s goalkeeper, while previous Barca number two Jasper Cillessen moved the other way in a de facto swap deal.
It is now thought that young goalkeeper Inaki Pena will be a substitute for the Blaugrana in the opening weeks of the campaign in Neto’s absence.
Barcelona star their season with a trip to Athletic Club Bilbao this weekend.
