Real Madrid loses Marcelo to injury

Already without first-choice right-back Dani Carvajal for an extended period, Real Madrid is now sweating over the fitness of his opposite number, as left-back Marcelo limped out of Saturday's match against Malaga with an apparent hamstring problem in the opening half.

The afro-clad left-back has been one of the standout performers for Zinedine Zidane's men this season, and losing him for a prolonged stretch could be a massive blow for a club with a loaded schedule on the horizon - including a tasty Champions League tie with Napoli.

Zidane has been forced to turn to backup Danilo due to Carvajal's injury, and a Marcelo ailment could see Portuguese veteran Fabio Coentrao add to the 22 league minutes he's garnered so far this season.