Cicinho facing six months out

Real Madrid CF will be without right-back Cicinho for up to six months after the Brazilian international suffered a serious knee injury in their Primera División win at Real Betis Balompié on Saturday evening.

Knee injury
The 26-year-old was carried off just before the half-hour mark during Madrid's 1-0 victory in Seville after turning awkwardly when stretching to reach the ball, damaging his right knee in the process. Club doctor Juan Carlos Hernández said that at first inspection the injury appeared to be serious: "We think he has torn the anterior cruciate ligament, but we will have to carry out further tests." Those initial fears were confirmed by more detailed analysis of the joint on Sunday afternoon. Cicinho will now undergo surgery and is expected to miss the majority of the season.