OMNISPORT

James Rodriguez has suffered another calf injury setback as Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane counts the cost of mounting fitness problems for the LaLiga leaders.

Colombia playmaker James has missed Madrid's last four matches in all competitions due to an injury to his left calf and has now damaged the same muscle in his right leg, with local media reports predicting a further two to three weeks on the sidelines.

"James has a problem with his other leg," Zidane said ahead of Wednesday's Copa del Rey trip to Celta Vigo, where Madrid will seek to overturn a 2-1 deficit from the first leg of the quarter-final.

"It is a strain, not a [serious] injury, which is the good part."

Madrid's patchy start to 2017 – Saturday's slender 2-1 win over Malaga was their first victory in four matches – has been accompanied by a growing injury list.

First-leg goalscorer Marcelo and influential midfielder Luka Modric will miss the trip to Vigo after picking up respective hamstring and thigh strains at the weekend and Zidane is already without defensive duo Pepe (calf) and Dani Carvajal (hamstring), with Gareth Bale (ankle) a long-term absentee.

"It's true that we've had quite a few injuries recently, but I just want to say I am responsible for everything," Zidane said, in light of the work of his coaching and medical staff being called into question.

"The people here are doing their best to make sure the players are okay.

"I'd like to have everyone, yes. Am I annoyed that some are injured, yes? But we can't do anything.

"In a season, this happens. Now, it's our turn at the moment, but we're not worried. We just have to keep going with the players that are here."