Real Madrid confirm another defensive injury as crisis continues

Real Madrid have announced that Lucas Vazquez has sustained a thigh injury that has ruled him out of Saturday's trip to Arandina in the Copa del Rey.

Los Blancos have been hit by a string of major injuries to key players this season, particularly in defensive areas. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and centre-backs Eder Militao and David Alaba have all sustained ACL injuries, while left-back Ferland Mendy is nursing a head problem.

Joining them on the treatment table is right-back Vazquez, who the club have confirmed has picked up a thigh strain.

A statement from Real Madrid read: "After the tests carried out today on our player Lucas Vazquez by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with an injury to the semitendinosus muscle in his right thigh. Evolution pending."

While Real Madrid have not put an official timeframe on Vazquez's recovery, El Chiringuito report he will miss at least three weeks of action.

Should this be the case, Vazquez will not take part in Real Madrid's Supercopa de Espana campaign in Saudi Arabia this month. They face city rivals Atletico in Riyadh on January 10, with a prospective final against Barcelona or Osasuna penned in for January 14.

Real Madrid return to La Liga action on January 21 when Almeria visit the Santiago Bernabeu before flying out to the Canary Islands to take on Las Palmas a week later.

Vazquez could return in time for a busy beginning to February which sees Real Madrid travel to neighbours Getafe and then host Atletico and title rivals Girona.

The 32-year-old has played 20 games for Real Madrid in all competitions so far this season, scoring once and laying on three assists.

Though Vazquez is due for a spell on the sidelines, Real Madrid have at least been able to welcome back Dani Carvajal and Eduardo Camavinga to first-team training, with both named in the travelling party for Saturday's clash with Arandina. However, Carlo Ancelotti has opted to rest midfielders Toni Kroos and Aurelien Tchouameni.

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