Wednesday 9 January 2019 16:54, UK
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has picked up a hip injury which could see him miss vital league games against Real Betis and Sevilla later this month.
Real have confirmed Courtois has been diagnosed with a grade one injury, the least severe possible, and he was left out of the squad to face Leganes in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday night.
"Following tests carried out on our player Thibaut Courtois today by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a grade 1 injury in the left iliac muscle. His recovery will be monitored," a club statement read.
Real are fifth in the La Liga table, 10 points behind leaders Barcelona and as well as the first leg against Leganes on Wednesday, Courtois is set to miss Sunday's league match away to Betis.
Madrid then play the return fixture against Leganes on January 16 before hosting third-placed Sevilla in the Spanish top flight three days later.
Courtois is likely to be replaced by Keylor Navas, who was named UEFA's best goalkeeper of last season after he helped Madrid win a third Champions League title in a row.
The club still signed Courtois from Chelsea last summer, however, and the Belgian has been first choice since Santiago Solari was appointed coach in November.
Courtois's injury setback comes one day after Germany midfielder Toni Kroos was diagnosed with a thigh problem, ruling him out for up to four weeks.
Record-signing Gareth Bale is currently sidelined with a groin strain and is not due back until the end of the month, while fellow forwards Marco Asensio, Mariano Diaz, as well as midfield anchor Marcos Llorente, are also unavailable due to injury.
