Helguera facing race against time

Central defender Iván Helguera looks certain to miss Real Madrid CF's UEFA Champions League match against AC Milan next Wednesday after spraining his ankle in the Primera División.

Fortnight out
The 27-year-old Spanish international sustained the injury in Saturday's 5-1 success against Deportivo Alavés, a victory which lifted Madrid to the top of the table. Club doctors confirmed today that Helguera will be unavailable for selection for around two weeks.

Hometown club
In addition to missing the league fixture against Real Racing Club Santander, his hometown club, Helguera is likely to sit out when Milan arrive at the Santiago Bernabéu. The match is a crucial one for the holders, who could slip out of the qualifying positions with one game remaining.

'Good condition'
For that to happen, BV Borussia Dortmund would have to beat FC Lokomotiv Moskva, and Madrid lose or draw against Milan, who have already qualified for the quarter-finals. Helguera intends to battle to prove his fitness for the match. "I know it will be complicated and if I can't do it that's that, but I will start training next Sunday and try to recover in time," he said.

Hierro injury
With Helguera's usual partner, Fernando Hierro, also injured, Madrid coach Vicente del Bosque is likely to partner midfield player Claude Makelele with Francisco Pavón in the heart of his defence. Madrid complete their second group stage programme against Lokomotiv in Russia on 18 March.