Injury knocks out Modric for six weeks

REAL Madrid have been rocked by the news that Luka Modric will miss the rest of their Liga campaign after being ruled out of action for six weeks.

The midfielder hobbled off 60 minutes into Saturday’s Primera Division clash with Malaga at the Santiago Bernabeu and the capital club subsequently revealed that he had sprained a ligament in his right knee.

However, the Croatian Football Federation announced yesterday that Modric will be sidelined for six weeks, meaning he will play no part in the conclusion of the Spanish season, which wraps up on May 24.

Consequently, the former Tottenham playmaker will miss the upcoming clashes with Celta (away), Almeria (home), Sevilla (away), Valencia (home), Espanyol (away) and Getafe (home).

More immediately, of course, Modric will also sit out Wednesday’s pivotal Champions League quarter-final, second-leg showdown with city rivals Atletico at the Santiago Bernabeu.

However, the 29-year-old would, in theory, be available for the final, should Madrid make it all the way to Berlin to defend their European crown on June 6.
Worryingly for the Blancos, though, Carlo Ancelotti is also sweating on the fitness of winger Gareth Bale, who was also forced off in the 3-1 win over Malaga.

The €100 million man last just five minutes before pulling up with a suspected muscle tear that could see him ruled out of the derby and the remainder of Madrid’s bid to overturn their two-point deficit to Barcelona at the top of the Liga standings.