Football
PA Sport 9y

Real Madrid defender Pepe injury doubt for Granada clash

Real Madrid defender Pepe has been diagnosed with a thigh injury which is likely to rule him out of Sunday's Primera Division clash against Granada.

The 32-year-old Portugal international has been carrying the injury sustained during the 2-1 Clasico defeat to Barcelona two weeks ago and it was confirmed by the Spanish giants on Wednesday.

Pepe was unable to take part in Portugal's 2-1 Euro 2016 qualifying victory over Serbia on Sunday, where the Group I leaders claimed their third successive win thanks to goals from Ricardo Carvalho and Fabio Coentrao.

The Real defender returned to Bernabeu earlier this week but failed to take part in Carlo Ancelotti's training session on Tuesday and tests have since shown he is suffering with a thigh problem.

A statement on the club's official website read: "Following the medical tests carried out on Pepe by the Real Madrid doctors in the Sanitas La Moraleja Hospital, he has been diagnosed with an injury in the vastus internus muscle in his right thigh. His progress will be monitored.''

Real could be without Pepe for a number of matches depending on the severity of the injury but Ancelotti will hope to see the Portuguese return ahead of the all-important April 14 Champions League quarterfinal clash against Madrid rivals Atletico.

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