Real Madrid confirm Lucas Vazquez's knee injury ahead of La Liga trip to Deportivo de la Coruna

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has suffered a new injury blow ahead of the last two games of the campaign after the club confirmed that Lucas Vazquez suffered a "medial collateral sprain in his left knee" during the 3-2 victory over Valencia on Sunday (8 May). The club have failed to set a deadline for his recovery but initial reports in Spain are suggesting that the Spanish winger will miss the La Liga trip to Deportivo de la Coruna at the weekend but will be ready to return in time for the Champions League final against Atletico Madrid on 28 May.

Vazquez has emerged as crucial squad player for Los Blancos since the club decided to re-sign him from Espanyol in the summer. The academy forward has taken advantage of the injuries in the BBC trident formed by Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo to make a total of 32 appearances at the La Liga giants this term, scoring four goals and providing 10 more for his teammates.

The 24-year-old winger started in the win over Valencia on Sunday alongside Benzema and Ronaldo to cover the absence of Bale after the Welshman sustained an injury during the Champions League win over Manchester City. Yet, the Real Madrid academy star was forced to be replaced by Jese Rodriguez Ruiz in the 76<sup>th minute of the game after a tough challenge by Enzo Perez.

Real Madrid have now confirmed the bad news after the Spanish winger underwent a scan on Monday (9 May).

"Following the tests carried out on Lucas Vázquez in the Sanitas La Moraleja University Hospital, he has been diagnosed with a medial collateral sprain in his left knee," Real Madrid confirmed. "His recovery will continue to be assessed."

The club, as usual, have failed to set a deadline for Vazquez's return to action but reports in Spain suggest it is not a major issue. In this sense AS and Marca reports that Zidane will probably rest him for the decisive trip to Deportivo as a precaution but is expected to have him available for the Champions League final.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, is yet to provide an update on the situation of Bale after he missed the win over Valencia. Should the former Tottenham star and Vazquez be finally out for the trip to Riazor, Zidane may need to complete his attack with Jese.

Los Blancos, who are a point behind Barcelona in the table, need to secure a victory at Deportivo while hoping the Catalans to drop points in their visit to Granada to win the title.