Benzema out of action for three weeks

Real Madrid will be without French striker Karim Benzema for around three weeks after he picked up a groin injury in his side's 1-1 draw away to CSKA Moscow in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Benzema lasted just 12 minutes of the game before being replaced by Gonzalo Higuain. He suffered the injury while taking a shot at the CSKA goal and immediately went down asking for assistance.

Tests in Madrid Wednesday confirmed he has a slight tear in his groin that will need around three weeks to heal.

That means he will miss Madrid's next two league games, which are away to Rayo Vallecano and at home to Espanyol, as well as the Champions League return leg against CSKA, Xinhua reports.

Benzema will also be unable to play for France in their friendly game against Germany Feb 29.