Real Madrid confirms sprained MCL for Modric, will reportedly miss 6 weeks

Injuries, man.

For Real Madrid fans, that comment comes with more than a hint of exasperation, as the club continues to see some of its most vital players, at the most crucial time of the season, fall victim to various ailments.

The Spanish side confirmed Sunday morning that midfielder Luka Modric, who was only just rounding back into form after returning from a torn thigh muscle that kept him out for nearly five months, is back on the shelf. This time, likely for the rest of the campaign.

Modric, who limped out of Saturday's 3-1 win over Malaga, has been diagnosed with a sprained MCL in his right knee, and while the club did not offer a definitive timeline, various reports suggest the Croatian star will miss six weeks with his latest injury.

As such, the 29-year-old will obviously play no part in Los Blancos' Champions League quarterfinal match against city rivals Atletico on Wednesday, and the timeline suggests that he is in very real danger of missing the remainder of the domestic season, which ends on May 23.

There is a chance, albeit slight, that the commandeering midfielder could return in time for the Champions League final on June 6, should his team reach that point in the competition - which seems unlikely without his participation.

Modric's season has been derailed by injuries, as the aforementioned thigh problem, suffered while away on international duty, has limited him to just 16 starts in La Liga this season.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid is still awaiting a medical report on the status of winger Gareth Bale, who was also forced to leave Saturday's contest with what appeared to be a calf problem in the opening minutes.

Saturday's victory, while important in that it kept the club within striking distance of Barcelona at the top of the league table, is looking more Pyrrhic by the minute.