Victor Valdes will undergo tests on Wednesday to determine the extent of the injury he picked up in Spain’s shock 1-0 loss to South Africa.
The Barcelona goalkeeper came on for Iker Casillas at half-time in Johannesburg but was forced to leave the pitch with 13 minutes remaining, Napoli’s Pepe Reina replacing him.
Initial reports suggested the 31-year-old had torn a calf muscle in his right leg but he is set for further tests when he returns to Spain, according to a statement on the Spanish Football Federation’s website.
“This Wednesday he will have new tests at his club to determine the exact extent of the injury. The national team doctors treated the goalkeeper immediately after he retired from the game in the 77th minute.
“They have concluded he could have suffered a torn calf in the right leg. Valdes was injured after going to clear the ball in a dangerous South African counter-attack,” it read.
Reports in Spain have it that if the injury is as bad as first feared then the Barca stopper could be out of action for as long as six weeks.
