Carvalho out for Chelsea and Portugal for two months

LISBON, Nov 14 (Reuters) Chelsea's Portugal defender Ricardo Carvalho will be out of action for two months with a back injury, the Portuguese soccer federation said.

Carvalho, who will miss Portugal's final two Euro 2008 qualifiers against Armenia and Finland, sustained the injury during Chelsea's 1-1 Premier League draw with Everton on Sunday.

Federation doctor Henrique Jones told reporters yesterday: ''It was not a serious injury but Carvalho should rest for at least eight weeks.'' Carvalho's absence will be a blow for both club, who have domestic and Champions League campaigns, and country, who are battling to qualify for Euro 2008 from Group A.

Real Madrid defender Pepe could make his debut for Portugal as a replacement.

Portugal face Armenia on Saturday and Finland four days later.

They are second in the group, one point behind leaders Poland and three points ahead of Serbia and Finland.

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