Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro is facing a spell on the sidelines after tests confirmed he has suffered a broken leg.
Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro is facing a spell on the sidelines after tests confirmed he has suffered a broken leg.
The Brazil international had to be replaced midway through the first half of Sunday's victory at Espanyol after sustaining the injury and Madrid have now confirmed the extent of the damage.
A club statement on Thursday night read: "Following tests carried out today on Casemiro at the Sanitas La Moraleja University Hospital, he has been diagnosed with a fracture to the central third of his left fibula.
"His recovery will continue to be assessed."
According to Spanish media, the 24-year-old is likely to be out of action for at least a month, which would rule him out of several La Liga and Champions League matches with Madrid.
It would also rule him out of Brazil's World Cup qualifiers against Bolivia and Venezuela.
Without Casemiro, Real failed in their bid to win a record 17th straight La Liga game as they were held 1-1 by Villarreal at the Bernabeu on Wednesday night.
Villarreal took the lead in first-half stoppage time through Bruno Soriano's 'Panenka' penalty, deftly chipped down the middle of the goal after Sergio Ramos' handball.
Ramos made up for his mistake in the first half, pulling Real level with a header three minutes after the break, but despite pressure throughout the second half on the visiting goal, it stayed level.