#SPORTS James Rodriguez suffers muscle injury

James Rodriguez sustained a calf injury while playing against Real Valladolid on Saturday , Real Madrid has confirmed .

James was included in the starting line -up for Madrid ’ s 1 -1 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu , despite missing all their pre-season matches as he was expected to leave the club .

The Colombian played well but was substituted early in the second half by Zinedine Zidane , who said after the game James had been feeling some discomfort .

A Real Madrid statement on Monday read : “ After the tests carried out today on our player James Rodriguez by the Real Madrid Medical Services he has been diagnosed with a muscle injury in the right calf . His recovery will continue to be assessed . ”

Madrid offered no timeframe for James ’ return but he is expected to miss their trip to Villarreal in La Liga on Sunday .

After the two -week international break , Madrid faces Levante at home before playing their opening fixture of the Champions League group stage on either September 17 or 18 .

SOURCE - ( AFP) via Punchng