Real Madrid have been dealt a blow ahead of Saturday’s clash with city rivals Atletico Madrid after confirming Alvaro Morata could miss the next month through injury.
Morata, 24, underwent tests in the aftermath of Spain’s 2-2 draw against England, in which he replaced Aduriz after the hour mark, and they revealed the striker had suffered a hamstring injury.
The Spain international is now expected to miss the next month of action, ruling him out of the weekend’s Madrid derby, as well as the first Clasico of the season against Barcelona at the start of December.
“After tests carried out on our player Alvaro Morata at the Sanitas La Moraleja University Hospital prior to the training session held today, Wednesday, he has been diagnosed with a grade 2 muscle injury in his right hamstring. His recovery will continue to be assessed,” a statement read on the club’s official website.
It leaves Zinedine Zidane short of options up front ahead of the Madrid derby with Karim Benzema also struggling to return to full fitness. Morata, who returned to Madrid following a summer switch from Juventus, was tipped to start alongside Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo, but Benzema is now expected to play even if not fully fit.
Morata has largely been forced to settle for life as a reserve since returning to Madrid, which was the reason why he left in the first place, and no player has scored more goals as a substitute in La Liga this season (2).
For more stats on Alvaro Morata, click here to visit his WhoScored player page
