Three-time winners Iran suffered a blow on the eve of the Asian Cup when defender Hashem Beikzadeh was ruled out with a broken hand.

Coach Carlos Queiroz said the loss of the 30-year-old, who sustained the injury in training on Wednesday, had caused "big damage" to Iran's plans.

The full-back, who can also play in central defence, will be replaced by Mohammad Reza Khanzadeh, 23, who arrives on Friday ahead of Iran's Group C opener against Bahrain on Sunday.

Iran's back line had already suffered the loss of Pejman Montazeri, who was ruled out last month after injuring his foot.

"This is a big damage for us as with Pejman injured, we have two main players in our defensive line that are out," said Queiroz, the former Portugal and Real Madrid coach.

"It was an accident. He was holding the shirt of another team-mate and accidently twisted his hand. It is very bad, and we are unfortunate."

At last year's World Cup, Iran's solid defence held firm against Nigeria and eventual finalists Argentina needed a last-gasp goal by Lionel Messi to beat them 1-0.

Team Melli are considered leading contenders in Australia, where they are trying to end their long wait for a title after winning the Asian Cup three times in a row between 1968 and 1976.