Blow for Real Madrid as Benzema suffers hamstring injury

Real Madrid are set to be without Karim Benzema for at least their next three matches after the club confirmed that the striker has suffered a hamstring injury.

Benzema was withdrawn at half-time of Saturday's derby defeat to Atletico, with Borja Mayoral replacing the France international forward who was only passed fit for the match on Thursday having been suffering from a hip problem.

Indeed, the 28-year-old was absent from the 1-1 draw with Malaga and is now set for a further spell on the sidelines that could see him miss La Liga fixtures against Levante and Celta Vigo, as well as the Champions League last-16 second-leg clash with Roma.

A statement on Madrid's official website read: "After tests at the University Hospital Sanitas La Moraleja the player Karim Benzema has been diagnosed with a muscle injury to his right hamstring."

Benzema has scored 23 goals in all competitions for Madrid in the 2015-16 campaign but has only struck once in his last four games for Los Blancos.

The striker joins Gareth Bale on the sidelines although the Welshman could be close to a return having started individual training on February 25 as he steps up his recovery from a calf problem.