Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric ruled out for six weeks with knee ligament damage

The 29-year-old picked up the injury in a challenge with Malaga midfielder Recio an hour into Saturday's game.

The Madrid club reported that: "After tests carried out this morning on Luka Modric at the Hospital Sanitas La Moraleja by the club's medical services, the diagnostic confirms that the player has a sprain on the medial collateral ligament in his right knee."

Although Real Madrid have not confirmed the severity of the injury, AS claim the 29-year-old suffered a ligament strain in his right knee - ruling him out for approximately six weeks.

That would mean he would miss Real’s six remaining La Liga fixtures and, barring a potential Champions League final, would not be able to play again until next season.

Modric could be joined on the sidelines by team-mate Gareth Bale, who he also played with at Tottenham, after the Welshman picked up a suspected calf injury.

Despite their casualties, goals from Sergio Ramos, James Rodriguez and Cristiano Ronaldo gave Real a 3-1 win which kept them just two points behind league-leaders Barcelona.