Real's Hierro set to miss matches against Dortmund

Real Madrid defender Fernando Hierro is set to miss his side's Champions League matches against Borussia Dortmund after twisting his knee in a league match on Saturday.

The 34-year-old centre back, who has been the linchpin of the Real defence for the past decade, had to leave the pitch midway through the second half of his side's 4-1 victory over Real Betis at the Bernabeu.

"Fernando is a vital player for us and it looks as though we will have to do without him for some time," Real coach Vicente del Bosque told reporters after the match.

Hierro, who was playing his 429th league game for the club, will undergo further tests on Monday to determine the extent of the injury.

Real are bottom of group C in the second phase of the Champions League having taken just one point from their first two matches. They play back-to-back matches against Dortmund on February 19 and 25.