Football
Adriana Garcia 7y

Real Madrid's Raphael Varane set for spell on sidelines with hamstring injury

Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane faces a minimum of three weeks on the sidelines after tests conducted on Friday confirmed he has a left hamstring injury.

Varane, 23, was forced off the pitch in the 72nd minute of Madrid's 2-1 defeat at Valencia in La Liga on Wednesday.

A statement from Madrid read: "Following tests carried out today on Raphael Varane at the Sanitas La Moraleja University Hospital, he has been diagnosed with a grade 2 muscle strain in his left hamstring."

Madrid have not given a time frame for Varane's return but the centre-back is expected to miss their next four league games against Villarreal, Las Palmas, Eibar and Real Betis, as well as the Champions League round-of-16 second leg at Napoli on March 7. The European champions hold a 3-1 advantage from the first leg.

Varane, who has started in 18 La Liga games and made seven Champions League starts this season, could return for the La Liga clash at Athletic Bilbao on March 19 and for France's 2018 World Cup qualifier at Luxembourg six days later.

Madrid are one point clear of Barcelona at the top of La Liga with a game in hand and play next at Villarreal on Sunday.

^ Back to Top ^