Xabi Alonso to play despite perforated eardrum

Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso will not face a spell on the sidelines despite suffering a perforated eardrum in his side's 3-2 win over Valencia at the weekend.

The Spanish international picked up the injury during a clash with French centre-back Jeremy Mathieu and was subsequently unable to fly home with the rest of his teammates due to cabin pressure.

His recovery time has been set at three weeks, but according to reports in Spain, the injury will not keep him on the sidelines when Madrid return to action after the winter break.

The former Liverpool midfielder will be free to discuss terms with interested parties next month as he enters the final six months of his contract at the Bernabeu.