Real Madrid could be without Pepe this weekend after the defender was ruled out of Portugal international duty

Real Madrid defender Pepe is set to miss Sunday's clash with Granada in La Liga after the club confirmed he has a thigh injury.

The 32-year-old has been carrying a knock since the 2-1 Clasico defeat to Barcelona on March 22 and the news was confirmed by the Spanish giants on Wednesday.

Pepe was unable to take part in Portugal's 2-1 Euro 2016 qualifying victory over Serbia on Sunday, where the Group I leaders claimed their third-successive win thanks to goals from Ricardo Carvalho and Fabio Coentrao.

The Real defender returned to the Bernabeu earlier this week as an inexperienced Portugal side lost 2-0 at home to Cape Verde, but he failed to take part in Carlo Ancelotti's training session on Tuesday and tests have since shown he is suffering with a thigh problem.

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A statement on the club's official website read: "Following the medical tests carried out on Pepe by the Real Madrid doctors in the Sanitas La Moraleja Hospital, he has been diagnosed with an injury in the vastus internus muscle in his right thigh.

"His progress will be monitored."

Real could be without Pepe for a number of matches depending on the severity of the injury, but Ancelotti will hope to see the defender return ahead of the first leg of their all-important Champions League quarter-final clash against Madrid rivals Atletico on April 14.