The rest of the midfielder's season could be in jeopardy

Mali's Mahamadou Diarra has travelled to France to see a medical specialist to determine the seriousness of the injury to his right knee.

His club Real Madrid confirmed that Diarra "went to Lyon to be examined by a doctor in whom he has confidence".

The midfielder could be sidelined for up to six months, after learning he may need surgery on the troubled knee.

The 27-year-old underwent an X-ray on Tuesday which confirmed his knee injury had relapsed.

Diarra has been plagued by injury this season and his prolonged absence only adds to Real's long casualty list.

He could also miss the opening matches of Mali's final round of qualifiers for the World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations, which begin in March.

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