Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Zidane is expected to have a number of injuries to face Real Betis Getty Images

KEY POINTS

  • Captain has been diagnosed with a grade 2 sprain of the medial collateral knee ligament in the left knee.
  • Long-term absentee Casemiro also remain on the sidelines.
  • Fabio Coentrao completed running drills on his own.

Sergio Ramos, Casemiro, Luka Modrić, James Rodriguez and Fabio Coentrao failed to complete the first Real Madrid training session of the week as Los Blancos continue the preparations for the La Liga trip to Real Betis on 15 October. Yet, the club have confirmed the captain is set to be on the sidelines for a while after suffering a "grade 2 sprain of the medial collateral knee ligament in the left knee" during Spain's 2-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Albania on Sunday night (9 October).

The news are another blow for manager Zinedine Zidane as Los Blancos will travel to Sevilla on weekend in search to end a four-match winless run, having got successive draws against Villarreal, Las Palmas, Borussia Dortmund and Eibar before the international break.

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Ramos is expected to be sidelined for up to six weeks after suffering a knee injury during Spain's 2-0 World Cup qualifying win against Albania. The club failed to put a date on his return to action but confirmed the bad news through an official statement.

"After tests carried out today on our player Sergio Ramos at the Sanitas La Moraleja University Hospital, he has been diagnosed with a grade 2 sprain of the medial collateral knee ligament in the left knee. His recovery will continue to be assessed," Real Madrid confirmed.

The Spaniard has thus joined Casemiro, Modrić, James and Coentrao on the treatment room.

The Brazilian midfielder has eventually missed the last four draws after being diagnosed with a fracture to the central third of his left fibula earlier last month, with reports suggesting the he could be out of action for up to two months. Modrić and Coentrao were also missing in the last draw with Eibar due to different fitness issues, amid suggestions the Croatian international could also be on the sidelines for around a month.

Meanwhile, James Rodriguez also missed the draw with Eibar due to a calf strain. However, he surprisingly joined the Colombian national amid suggestions that his country didn't believe the medical reports from the club. Yet, he eventually couldn't feature for Jose Pekerman's side and is now back in Madrid to continue his rehabilitation.

"James, Casemiro and Luka Modrić continue with their recoveries, whilst Sergio Ramos began his programme," the club confirmed before adding: "Meanwhile, Fábio Coentrão completed running drills on his own out on the training field."

On the other hand, Zinedine Zidane has welcomed the return of Alvaro Morata, Dani Caravajal, Nacho and Lucas Vazquez following their international commitments with Spain.

"The squad, minus the five players who are still away on international duty, today returned to training at Real Madrid City. Zinedine Zidane welcomed back Álvaro Morata, Nacho, Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vázquez, who were all called up by Spain for their two fixtures. "

Real Madrid