Real midfielder Diarra out for rest of season

Madrid, Dec 9 (DPA) Spanish champions Real Madrid announced that midfielder Mahamadou Diarra will be out of action for between six to nine months.

The Mali midfielder was operated on in Madrid Monday morning for a complicated break in the external cartliage of his right knee, an injury he originally sustained playing for Mali against Chad in October.

Diarra, 27, is Real's second long-term knee injury victim, after Dutchman Ruud Van Nistelrooy.

The club's other absentees at the moment are Pepe, Gabriel Heinze, Ruben de la Red and Wesley Sneijder.

In addition, Marcelo and Arjen Robben will miss next Saturday's clash away to Barcelona through suspension.

Real are currently fifth in La Liga, nine points behind runaway leaders Barcelona.