Real Madrid's Helguera hospitalized

Real Madrid defender Ivan Helguera has been hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis, the club said Tuesday.

Helguera, who missed Sunday's Spanish league match against Levante, will undergo tests and receive treatment. Madrid didn't say how long the Spanish international is expected to stay in hospital.

Helguera, who has appeared in 29 of the team's 32 league games this season, is doubtful for Saturday's league game with Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

Madrid is six points behind leader FC Barcelona with six games remaining.