Madrid, Spain – Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso could miss up to three months of action after he sustained a broken foot on Wednesday.
"Xabi Alonso has today suffered a fracture in the fifth metatarsal of his right foot, x-rays carried out by the club's medical staff have revealed," read a statement on Real's website.
The club didn't specify an expected recovery period, but Spanish media reported that the 31-year-old will be out for three months.
The former Liverpool man had only recently returned to training following an operation to repair a groin injury that forced him to miss the 2013 Confederations Cup. He also wasn't included in Carlo Ancelotti's squad for Real's first La Liga match of the new season due to lack of match fitness.
He is likely to miss Spain's last three 2014 World Cup qualifiers, several matches of Real's Champions League group stage campaign, as well as the club's first domestic meeting with Barcelona on Oct. 26.