Madrid  - Villarreal midfield anchorman Marcos Senna will be out of action for around three weeks with a thigh injury, the Spanish football club announced on Wednesday.

Senna, 32, tore a muscle in his left thigh in Saturday's 2-0 defeat at home to Malaga, a result which pulled Villarreal down to fifth in La Liga.

Senna will miss the next league matches as well as a Champions League quarter-final return leg at England's Arsenal which was scheduled for later Wednesday.

It is the latest blow for Villarreal who lost midfielder Santi Cazorla over a leg fracture two weeks ago.

Senna was born in Brazil but has acquired Spanish nationality. He played for Spain at the 2006 World Cup and was fundamental to Spain's Euro 2008 triumph. (dpa)