Once the three-week international break comes to an end, Real Madrid will return to competitive action on 10 October with a La Liga game against Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Having lost their previous match against Atletico Madrid just before the international window, the Merengues know they cannot afford any more slip-ups, having already slipped down to fourth place in the table, four points below leaders FC Barcelona.

But, heading into the clash against the Yellow Submarine, Real Madrid and Jose Mourinho currently face a serious problem at centre-back.

Indeed, as things stand, Los Blancos could face Villarreal with only one fit and available senior central defender.

Dean Huijsen, who has been a permanent fixture in defence this season under Mourinho, will miss the match as he is suspended following his sending-off in the derby.

Meanwhile, Ibrahima Konate is recovering from the injury he suffered with France, so it remains to be seen whether he will be fit in time for the La Liga encounter.

Raul Asencio set to undergo surgery. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

And, as confirmed earlier today , Raul Asencio is set to undergo surgery on his fractured tibia, which will rule him out of action for at least a couple of months.