MADRID • Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos is at risk of missing next month's derby with Atletico Madrid after scans revealed the knee injury he suffered while playing for Spain on Sunday was worse than first feared.
Ramos fell awkwardly late in the second half in Spain's 2-0 win in Albania and was later substituted in the 80th minute.
"He has been diagnosed with a grade two sprain of the medial collateral knee ligament in the left knee. His recovery will continue to be assessed," Real said in a statement.
The club did not specify how long Ramos will be out for, although Spanish media reported that he could be unavailable for six weeks, rather than the four weeks initially expected.
As well as missing Spanish Primera Liga fixtures against Real Betis, Athletic Bilbao, Alaves and Leganes and two Champions League group games with Legia Warsaw, Ramos faces a race against time to be fit for the short trip to league leaders Atletico on Nov 20.
Ramos has also been ruled out of Spain's World Cup qualifier against Macedonia on Nov 12 and the friendly with England on Nov 15.
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6
Number of weeks Sergio Ramos may be ruled out for club and country.
Although Ramos has struggled for form so far this season, his absence comes at a worrying time for Real, who have drawn their last four games and will also have to do without the services of midfield duo Luka Modric and Casemiro for the rest of October.
Colombia international James Rodriguez is recovering from a calf injury he suffered in the warm-up before last Sunday's surprise 1-1 draw at home to Eibar.
Rodriguez flew home in preparation for World Cup qualifiers against Paraguay and Uruguay but was deemed unfit and has returned to the Spanish capital.
REUTERS
