Real Madrid attacker Gareth Bale is reportedly suffering from a slipped disc in his back.
The Welshman, who joined Madrid from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer, has played just twice for the Spanish outfit this season.
It had been suggested that he would return to action next weekend, but the injury could now keep him out for the rest of the month.
According to Marca, tests revealed the extent of Bale's injury on Friday, but he will not require immediate surgery to fix the problem.
It is understood that the injury was picked up during the 24-year-old's medical, but Madrid president Florentino Perez still ordered for the transfer to be completed.