Real Madrid star Luka Modric 'shocked' by extent of injury blow

Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric has admitted that he was 'shocked' to discover that he will be out of action for three months with a thigh injury.

The 29-year-old suffered a muscle tear while on international duty with Croatia during his nation's 1-1 draw with Italy last week.

"It's a despair," Modric told Sportske Novosti. "The real shock came when the doctors told me that my recovery would last for three months. I was speechless. I thought I'd be out for some time, but I never imagined it could be for three months."

The former Tottenham Hotspur player is likely to miss 20 games while nursing his injury.