Real Madrid facing shortage of central defenders as injuries mount

Real Madrid could face a shortage of fit central defenders after first-choice pairing Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane were forced to leave their respective international outings on Tuesday due to injury.

Ramos exited in the 43rd minute of Spain's 6-0 Nations League drubbing of Germany. The Spanish football federation said he suffered "severe discomfort in his right hamstring," according to Alex Kirkland and Rodrigo Faez of ESPN UK.

The 34-year-old was appearing in his 178th international match. On Saturday, he broke Italy shot-stopper Gianluigi Buffon's record for most caps among European players.

Ramos is scheduled to undergo scans on Wednesday to determine the severity of the injury.

Varane departed at the interval of France's 4-2 victory over Sweden at the Stade de France. The World Cup winner also appeared to suffer a hamstring injury.

"I had to take Raphael off because he had a little problem," Les Bleus boss Didier Deschamps said after the match.

Madrid return to La Liga play on Saturday against Villarreal. Eder Militao tested positive for the coronavirus on Nov. 2. If he's not cleared to play, Nacho - who has just recovered from an injury - could be the only senior central defender available.