Sprain sidelines Hierro

Real Madrid CF captain Fernando Hierro could miss the opening two matches of the second group stage of the UEFA Champions League after damaging his ankle.

Sprained ankle
The 34-year-old central defender sprained his right ankle during Tuesday's 1-1 Group C draw against KRC Genk in Belgium. The point ensured Madrid finished first in the section and the defending champions are now the top-seeded team for Friday's last 16 draw in Geneva.

Month lay-off
However, Vicente del Bosque will definitely not be able to call on Hierro for Matchday Seven on 26/27 November, although the defender could feasibly be fit for the following Champions League game which will be played on 10/11 December after Madrid's website confirmed that Hierro will be out "for three or four weeks".

Fifth in the league
A veteran of four FIFA World Cups and two UEFA European Championships, Hierro will also miss Primera División fixtures against FC Barcelona, the leaders Real Sociedad, Sevilla FC and RCD Mallorca. Madrid are fifth in the Spanish top flight after nine games, five points off the summit.