MIAMI, June 27 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid will be without central defender David Alaba for the remainder of the FIFA Club World Cup and possibly for the start of pre-season training ahead of the new campaign, after the club confirmed the Austrian has suffered a muscle injury.

"Following medical tests performed on our player David Alaba by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a muscle injury in the soleus of his left leg," informed the club website.

The news is not such an important blow to Madrid's hopes in the tournament, given that Alaba has yet to play a minute under new coach Xabi Alonso, with new arrival Deal Huijsen able to occupy his place on the left of the three-man defense Alonso used in Thursday's 3-0 win over RB Salzburg.

However, the injury is another blow to the 33-year-old, whose time at Real Madrid has been marred by a series of injuries which have never allowed him to enjoy a consistent run in the side.

He missed most of last season with a cruciate knee ligament injury which needed an operation, and when he was able to return another muscle problem ended his campaign.

With Huijsen's arrival and Eder Militao likely to be fit by the start of next season, Real Madrid could look to offload the defender over the summer. ■