Valeron: Out for two months (MatthewAshton/Empics)

'It is a serious setback for both football and for Deportivo,' Irureta said.

'He was in the best form since his arrival at the club just over two years ago and it is a real shame that he won't be able to play for us for at least two months.'

The Spanish international fractured his fibula after a reckless challenge from Bolivian defender Juan Manuel Pena during his side's 2-0 win over Valladolid on Saturday.

Valeron had been in outstanding form for the Galician club, masterminding their 3-2 win away to Bayern Munich in their opening Champions League match and setting up both goals for striker Roy Makaay in the game against Valladolid before going off injured.

The midfielder himself, who will now miss the rest of his side's first phase matches as well as Spain's Euro 2004 qualifier against Northern Ireland, was philosophical about the injury and refrained from any criticism of the Valladolid defender.

'These things happen in football,' he said. 'No player deliberately sets out to injury another and what happened to me has happened to many other players so we shouldn't make any more of it.'

But Irureta said that, coming on top of injuries to keeper Jose Molina and Portuguese defender Jorge Andrade, the loss of Valeron was a considerable blow to the team's chances against the five-times European champions.

'This is just the latest in a series of setbacks because of injury, but we will have to produce a response on the pitch and I am hoping that the home crowd will also help us overcome our problems.'

Milan, who won their opening match against Lens last week, emerged victorious from their only other visit to the Riazor two seasons ago thanks to a goal from Danish defender Thomas Helveg on the stroke of half time.

And Irureta explained that he now had an even more healthy respect for the team that recruited former Deportivo forward Rivaldo and Italian international defender Alessandro Nesta in the close season.