Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric set for a two-week spell on the sidelines

Real Madrid have been dealt an injury blow for their upcoming run of matches with Luka Modric facing up to two weeks out of action, according to The Athletic.

Modric has been diagnosed with a muscular injury and will sit out his side’s La Liga meeting against relegation candidates Almeria this weekend as Madrid bid to keep up their faint title challenge.

Sitting a whopping 11 points adrift of top spot heading into the final seven matches of the season, Madrid will likely relinquish their domestic crown to arch-rivals Barcelona.

The bigger concern for Los Blancos will be the availability of their star midfielder for the Champions League semi-final.

The first leg is on May 9 – three days after Madrid take on Osasuna in the Copa del Rey final.

However, Modric is expected to be back in action before the second leg at the Etihad Stadium.

With 44 appearances across all competitions under his belt this term, Modric has been a key figure for Carlo Ancelotti’s side and continues to deliver the goods even at the age of 37.

Following in the footsteps of midfield partner Toni Kroos who is closing in on signing a new deal, the Croatian is also in line for a contract extension with his current deal set to expire this summer.

If Modric is deemed unfit to participate in Madrid’s clash with Manchester City, Aurelien Tchouameni could be handed the opportunity to feature off the back of a rough patch in recent months.

Despite a bright start to his time at Santiago Bernabeu, the 23-year-old has become a peripheral figure of late and will relish the opportunity to serve up a reminder of why he cost €100 million last summer.