Helguera absence hampers Madrid
Wednesday, November 2, 2005
Article summary
Real Madrid CF will be without Iván Helguera against Olympique Lyonnais and FC Barcelona as the defender has torn a thigh muscle.
Article body
Thigh injury
The 30-year-old sustained the injury in training on the eve of Madrid's Matchday 4 victory at Rosenborg BK. Helguera returned to Spain to undergo scans which revealed torn muscle fibres in his right thigh. He needs two to three weeks' rest to allow the injury to heal.
Salgado relief
Madrid could now miss Helguera's steadying influence in their meeting with Olympique Lyonnais at the Santiago Bernabéu - a match which could decide who wins Group F - three days after champions Barcelona come to the Spanish capital. Better news concerns right-back Míchel Salgado, whose hairline fracture to his right cheek will not require surgery.
