Villarreal forward Giovani dos Santos is expected to miss the next month of the season with a thigh injury.

The 24-year-old, who has scored six league goals for the Yellow Submarine this season, picked up the injury in Monday's 1-0 win over Elche in La Liga.

It is understood that the Mexican felt the strain towards the end of the first period, before eventually being forced off in the early stages of the second 45 minutes.

Initial indications are that the former Real Mallorca forward will be out of action for one month, but tests will be undertaken later this week to determine the full extent of the damage.