The injury suffered by Luka Modric on international duty is worse than first feared and he could be out for between three and four months.
According to AS, Real Madrid doctors say the Croatian tore his left proximal rectus femoris tendon in the Euro 2016 qualifier against Italy at the weekend and is set to miss between 12 and 16 weeks action.
The report suggests several sources close to Madrid believe he will not return until at least February 2015, meaning an absence of up to 20 games.
Modric landed in Spain on Monday and was examined by club doctors before undergoing and MRI scan on his left thigh.
“I felt a very strong pain in the upper part of my thigh and it still hurts. It’s a shame but that’s football,” he told reporters.
The 29-year-old was forced off in the 26th minute of Croatia’s draw in Italy and will also miss the Club World Cup in Morocco in December.
