Valverde faces two months out after derby tackle, tests show

Real Madrid have confirmed a grade 3 sprain in Federico Valverde's left ankle, with the midfielder expected to be sidelined around eight weeks.

Real Madrid have announced that midfielder Federico Valverde suffered a grade 3 sprain in his left ankle. The injury came during Sunday's Madrid derby against Atletico Madrid at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, on a hard challenge from Atletico's Lee Kang-in.

The club had to wait to run full tests because of significant swelling in the ankle. The diagnosis was confirmed in an official medical report after Valverde was examined by the club's medical staff.

Real Madrid did not put a timetable on his recovery. Spanish outlet Sport reports the Uruguayan is expected to miss about eight weeks, which would rule him out of at least eight matches.

That layoff would keep Valverde out of the season's first El Clasico against Barcelona at the Spotify Camp Nou next month. Manager Jose Mourinho would need to turn to options such as Bernardo Silva, Eduardo Camavinga or Thiago Pitarch to partner Aurelien Tchouameni in midfield.