|
ESPNsoccernet: Europe | |
Real Madrid defender Ricardo Carvalho is set for another stint on the sidelines after suffering a knee injury at training.
 |
• Xabi Alonso: Nothing's settled yet
Carvalho has played just eight games for Los Merengues this season after a troublesome back problem kept him out for five weeks. The 33-year-old last played in a Champions League clash against Ajax on September 27, and the club confirmed via their official website that the defender has now strained ligaments in his right knee, putting him in serious doubt for the Clasico against Barcelona on December 10.
The fresh injury blow to Carvalho comes as star forward Cristiano Ronaldo battles his way back to fitness after picking up an ankle knock in last weekend's derby win over Atletico Madrid. Ronaldo was brought down by Luis Perea during the feisty encounter, and Real midfielder Xabi Alonso confirmed the Portuguese has yet to return to training this week as the team's La Liga title charge continues.
"(Ronaldo) has not trained with the team, but hopefully he can get to the game with Sporting Gijon (at the weekend)," Alonso said. "Perea's tackle was hard but luckily not as serious as it could have been. We accept that football is a contact sport, sometimes you get it, sometimes you give it ."