Guardiola cools title talk

(GETTY IMAGES)

Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola has warned his players not to be distracted by premature talk that they are favourites to win the La Liga title this season.

Barca moved three points clear of their main rivals with Sunday's 2-0 victory over Recreativo Huelva.

Speculation surrounding the future of coach Bernd Schuster at Real Madrid has heightened talk that the Catalan club could wrestle the crown from the grasp of their traditional rivals this season.

But referring to the victory over Recre, Guardiola called for focus at this early stage of the season.

"They are three points which help give us strength, but no league is won in November," he warned.

"What it means is that we are top for another week and if we are not attentive to our rivals they could close up on us again.

"Now we need to rest, prepare for the game against Getafe (next weekend) and continue fighting."

Villarreal’s title push has been hit by the news that striker Joseba Llorente will miss the next month after suffering a leg muscle injury.

The in-form forward has scored nine goals in 15 appearances since joining the Yellow Submarine from Valladolid during the summer.

However, the 28-year-old suffered a leg injury during Sunday's 2-2 draw against Malaga, in which he scored his side's second goal.

"He will be out for a month," confirmed Villarreal in a brief statement.

Llorente is now likely to miss the league matches against his former club, Recreativo Huelva, Getafe and Sevilla, as well as the Champions League games against Manchester United and Celtic.