Varane sidelined as problems deepen for struggling Real

MADRID (Reuters) - Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane is expected to be sidelined for a month with a thigh injury he sustained in the humiliating 5-1 Clasico defeat by Barcelona on Sunday.

(Reuters)

"(Varane) has been diagnosed with a muscle injury to the adductor longus in his right leg," said Madrid in a statement Tuesday.

Spanish media reports suggested the French defender will be sidelined until late November, leaving interim coach Santiago Solari short of options in central defence.

Solari was appointed on Monday after Julen Lopetegui was sacked following a dismal start to the season, with Madrid languishing ninth in La Liga.

Striker Mariano Diaz is also set to miss 10 days with a hamstring injury.

(Reporting by Rik Sharma; editing by Martyn Herman)