Real Madrid's newly signed defender, Trent Alexander-Arnold, is set to miss several weeks of action after sustaining a muscle injury. The English international was substituted early in last night’s match against Marseille and is now expected to miss his first-ever El Clasico.

“Following tests carried out Wednesday by the Real Madrid Medical Services on our player, Trent Alexander-Arnold, he has been diagnosed with a muscle injury to the biceps femoris in his left leg. Further updates will follow,” an official club statement read.

According to several Spanish media reports, Alexander-Arnold will be sidelined for at least six to eight weeks. If this turns true, he will be unavailable for some of Madrid’s most critical upcoming matches. This includes his debut El Clasico on October 26, when Los Blancos will host the Catalan club at Santiago Bernabéu.

Within this timeframe, Real Madrid also has other significant fixtures, including the Madrid Derby on September 27 and a match against Villarreal on October 4. His absence will also be felt in the Champions League, especially in upcoming games against Juventus and Liverpool.

Two Real Madrid defenders sanctioned

The injury adds to the club's defensive woes. Earlier this week, another key defender, Antonio Rüdiger, suffered a serious muscle injury that will keep him out for approximately three months. The absence of two vital players on defense will undoubtedly cause a major headache for coach Xabi Alonso as he looks to manage his starting lineup.

Alexander-Arnold pulled up while making a run just five minutes into the match against Marseille, which the hosts won 2-1 thanks to two successful penalties from Kylian Mbappe. The defender dropped to the ground, holding the back of his left leg, and was replaced by Dani Carvajal immediately. Carvajal was later sent off for headbutting an opponent and will miss Madrid's next Champions League match against Kairat Almaty in two weeks.

Alexander-Arnold joined Madrid from Liverpool this summer and made his debut for the Spanish giants during the Club World Cup.