MADRID (AFP) - Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso suffered a perforated left eardrum when he took a knock in Sunday's game against Valencia, the club said on Monday.

"After undergoing medical tests it has been found that Xabi Alonso has a perforated left eardrum as a result of a blow received in the match against Valencia," said a club medical report released online.

Real gave no details on Alonso's outlook beyond the fact it depended on the player's progress.

Perforated eardrums usually heal on their own within two months but surgery is sometimes performed in severe cases.

Alonso was elbowed by Valencia's French player Jeremy Mathieu in the 58th minute of Sunday's match, which Madrid won 3-2. It was Real's last game before the Christmas break.

The player alerted club doctors when the pain in his left ear did not ease after the end of the game, and he had to return to Madrid by car instead of taking the plane owing to the injury, the Spanish press said.

Real's next game is a friendly against Paris Saint-Germain on Jan 2 in Doha. They return to Liga competition on Jan 6 against Celta Vigo.