BARCELONA – Real Madrid winger Eden Hazard and defender Marcelo
are set to miss the Clasico against rivals Barcelona on December 18
after being diagnosed with injuries on Thursday.
Belgian forward Hazard suffered an ankle injury against Paris
Saint-Germain in the Champions League in November but initial tests
only showed bruising and he was expected to miss around 10 days.
However Madrid said the 100-million-euro (111-million-dollar) summer
signing from Chelsea has sustained a micro fracture in his ankle.
"The development of the perimalleolar bruising in his right leg has
seen him diagnosed with an incomplete external microfracture in the
aforementioned area," said Real Madrid in a statement.
Hazard is expected to be sidelined for around an extra month,
according to Spanish media reports.
Defender Marcelo has also been diagnosed with a calf injury and is
expected to miss the clash against Barcelona.
Madrid and their Catalan rivals are level on 31 points from 14 games
each at the top of La Liga.