GOAL

Real Madrid have confirmed that Gareth Bale suffered a calf injury in Saturday's Liga win over Malaga and will miss the Champions League quarter-final second leg against Atletico.

The Wales international is expected to be out for between two and three weeks with a soleus muscle injury that means he will miss Wednesday's game

Bale pulled up just five minutes into the 3-1 win at the Santiago Bernabeu and was promptly replaced by Javier Hernandez.

The club issued an update on Bale's condition via their official website on Monday, stating: "Following tests carried out on Gareth Bale at the Sanitas La Moraleja Hospital by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a muscle injury in his left soleus. His progress will be monitored."

Although Madrid failed to specify the exact timescale of the winger's absence, it is believed that he is facing between two and three weeks on the sidelines.

If that is the case, the €100 million man will miss Wednesday's crucial Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid, as well as the upcoming Liga games against Celta, Almeria and Sevilla.

Madrid are already certain to be without midfielder Luka Modric for their derby decider at the Santiago Bernabeu, with the Croatia international having been ruled out of action for up to six weeks with a sprained ligament in his right knee.

Striker Karim Benzema is another major doubt for the Atleti showdown with a knee problem, with the game in the balance following a 0-0 draw in last week's first leg at the Vicente Calderon.