Zenit St Petersburg striker Hulk has dealt the Russian champions an injury blow as they confirmed that their record signing faces a spell on the sidelines.

The Brazilian forward picked up a thigh injury in Zenit's win over Rostov on Friday and will be out of action for at least a fortnight.

Hulk is unavailable for Zenit's crucial Champions League tie away to Anderlecht on Tuesday with the problem.

The 26-year-old will also be absent for Brazil's showpiece friendly against Colombia in the United States next week.

Zenit manager Luciano Spaletti is under pressure to qualify for the competition's knockout stages after spending heavily during the close season on Hulk and Belgian midfielder Axel Witsel.

Written by
Liam Power