Double injury blow for Real Madrid
Xinhua, September 11, 2015 Adjust font size:
Real Madrid have suffered a double injury setback as they prepare for a busy month of activity.
The club confirmed on Thursday that Colombian international midfielder James Rodriguez will be out of action for around three weeks after tearing a muscle in his left thigh in a recent international game between Colombia and Peru.
James is the second victim of the international break as right back Danilo also returned to Spain with a serious injury.
The Brazilian, who joined Real Madrid from Porto over the summer, broke a bone in his right foot in Brazil's recent game against Costa Rica and will be sidelined for at least a month.
James is likely to miss out on around 5 games, including Saturday's league game away to Espanyol on Saturday and Real Madrid's Champions League debut against Shakhtar Donetsk next week, while Danilo may not return before the next international break in October.
James has been in excellent form since returning to the side and scored twice in Madrid's 5-0 win over Betis two weeks ago, while Danilo had been first choice at right back ahead of Spain international Dani Carvajal.
Real Madrid coach Rafael Benitez will nevertheless think he has enough talent to replace the duo with Carvajal in line to start on Saturday, while either Isco or Karim Benzema will be in line to replace James. Endit