Club captain Carles Puyol is set to return from his knee ligament injury in September according to club doctor Ramon Cugat.

"I don't like to make predictions, but he could ready for the first game of the Champions League group stages if everything continues as it is doing," said Cugat.

Puyol injured his knee during a friendly against South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns in June.

Meanwhile, Icelandic forward Eidur Gudjohnsen will miss the club's Asian tour due to his own knee ligament problem.

Gudjohnsen stayed behind in Barcelona during last weeks mini tour of Scotland to work on a recovery programme.

Along with Puyol, Gudjohnsen and the injured Edmílson, Rafael Márquez, Lionel Messi and Gaby Milito will also miss the Asian tour after returning from their extended holidays after the Copa América.

The trio will remain in Barcelona to start their pre-season training and will rejoin the rest of the squad once they return from Asia and travel to Germany to take on Bayern Munich to play in the final match before the start of the new Primera Divisón season.