Karanka out for three weeks

Aitor Karanka will be out of action for the next two to three weeks after damaging muscle fibres in his right leg against Alavés on Saturday.

The Basque full-back underwent a scan on his injured hamstring at Madrid's Cemtro clinic on Monday where he was told that he would have a very slim chance of recovering for Real's long-awaited league clash with Barcelona on November 4.

Karanka told reporters on leaving the clinic: "It's a set-back, like all injuries are but I was fine before the game in Vitoria at the weekend. I was injured stretching for a ball - it's nothing to do with the muscular sprain I suffered last week."

Karanka also gave praised 21-year-old Francisco Pavón, who has been drafted in cover his position in central defence, adding: "He's been doing a great job."