Official: Real Madrid confirm neck injury to defender

Real Madrid have issued an official statement confirming that defender Raul Asencio has sustained a neck injury.

“Following tests carried out on our player Raúl Asencio by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a cervical muscle strain. His recovery will be monitored,” the statement from the club confirmed.

Asencio sustained the injury during Real Madrid’s previous game against SL Benfica, when he was involved in a mid-air accidental collision with teammate Eduardo Camavinga.

After hitting the ground, the Spanish defender was in a lot of pain and was treated by the medical staff before being stretchered off with a neck brace.

While the Real Madrid academy graduate had ruled out a major scare, the club have now announced that he has indeed sustained a neck muscle strain and will be sidelined for some time.

The period for which Asencio will be unavailable has not been confirmed by Real Madrid for now, and it remains to be seen when he returns.

What it means, though, is that Real Madrid have only two fit senior centre-backs for Monday’s game against Getafe – David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger – given that both Dean Huijsen and Eder Militao are also unavailable.