Alaba injured as Real Madrid problems mount at key moment

Real Madrid defender David Alaba is set to miss vital upcoming matches after the European champions said on Tuesday he has sustained a thigh injury, deepening their problems at the back.

"Following tests carried out on our player David Alaba by Real Madrid medical services, he has been diagnosed with an adductor injury in his left leg," said Madrid in a statement.

Madrid did not specify Alaba's expected absence length but the Austrian defender will miss between two and three weeks according to Spanish reports.

Alaba, only recently back from a year-long knee injury absence, will be unavailable for the derby clash in La Liga against Atletico Madrid on Saturday and is unlikely to feature in the Champions League play-off tie against Manchester City.

Los Blancos travel to face the Premier League side in Manchester on February 11 and then host the second leg on February 19.

Antonio Rudiger is a major doubt for the game with another thigh injury, leaving youngster Raul Asencio and midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni as Madrid's likely centre-back pairing.

Right-back Dani Carvajal is a long-term injury absentee, with winger Lucas Vazquez and midfielder Fede Valverde both filling in at times in that position.