SoccerNews.com

Real Madrid's Malian international midfielder Mahamadou Diarra has been sidelined for “six to nine months” after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery on Monday, according to the club.

A brief statement on Real's website said Diarra underwent surgery on a “very serious knee injury that is likely to keep him out for six to nine months”.

The 27-year-old injured his knee in October and briefly returned to action but was consigned to the injured list when he began feeling sharp pain in his right knee at the end of last month.

Diarra, who moved to Spain from French champions Lyon in 2006, is one of Real's most influential players.

His absence is another major blow for the nine-times European champions who are already without Dutch striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy, who is out for most of the season through injury.

His fellow Dutchman Royston Drenthe could also join the club's injured list after the midfielder pulled out of training with a knock on Monday.

After their Champions League fixture against Zenit St Petersburg Wednesday Real face arch rivals Barcelona – the league leaders – at the Nou Camp on Saturday.

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