Mixed news for Madrid

Real Madrid CF have been dealt a blow with news that in-form striker Gonzalo Higuaín will be out of action for the next three weeks having torn a thigh muscle but there is better news about Kaká.

Liga absence

Higuaín – who has struck 13 goals in 19 appearances in the Liga and UEFA Champions League this term – scored Madrid's opener in last Sunday's 2-0 win against RCD Mallorca but was replaced in the second half and subsequently complained of pain in his left leg. With a scan revealing a small muscle tear, the 22-year-old is now set to miss the January league encounters with Athletic Club, Málaga CF and RC Deportivo La Coruña but should be back when Madrid face Olympique Lyonnais in the UEFA Champions League first knockout round on 16 February and 10 March.

Kaká boost

Higuaín's team-mate Kaká is fully fit having struggled with a persistent groin problem for the last few months. The Brazilian returned to action at the weekend for the first time since 29 November and is now looking forward to realising his full potential at Madrid, explaining: "I went through the past seven months playing with this problem; sometimes it got better and sometimes worse but at times it limited how I could play. I stopped everything for the past 42 days and I don't feel soreness any more. Now I'm ready to do the things that everyone is expecting of me."