Real Madrid and Spain captain Sergio Ramos is expected to be out for a month having picked up a knee injury in his country's 2-0 World Cup qualifierwin against Albania.
Ramos fell awkwardly after a Spain corner and immediately signalled to the bench for assistance. Despite looking in considerable pain, the centre back did manage to pick himself upand sheepishly limp off the field, so it seems the injury is not as bad as first feared.
But, according toAS, reports from the Spanish camp are that Ramos could be unavailable for club and country for around a month, a big blow for both sides.
Sergio Ramos set to miss a month following knee injury sustained in tonight's #ALBESP #WCQ2018 https://t.co/QKT1mJrg93#RealMadrid pic.twitter.com/GCFtbNQYWP
Spain coach Julen Lopetegui told radio stationOnda Cero:"He came off as his medial internal ligament was affected.
"It seems he could have a small strain and be out for two or three games. We are optimistic that it is nothing serious. Although the doctors still have to make a firm call on it. He is very important for his club and for us."
"We will be prudent. We have already spoken with the medical service at his club. Tomorrow there will be tests to get a definitive diagnosis. We hope it is just a ligament strain, the internal, of grade one or two.
"But we must always be prudent with injuries of the knee, and wait for the tests. With a sprain, it depends on the grade. I will not say a time out until the tests are done tomorrow [Monday]. We hope it is only a light injury."
Ramos, capped an impressive 140 times for Spain, has made nine appearances for Los Blancos so far this season, scoring three times.