Real Madrid have confirmed that their Belgium forward Eden Hazard has suffered a thigh injury, with local media reporting that the problem will keep him out for at least three weeks.

That would see the star forward miss tough La Liga fixtures – on December 5 with top-four contenders Sevilla, and the derby with Atletico on December 12.

Hazard was substituted in the 28th minute of Saturday's shock home defeat by Alaves and has endured a torrid time with injuries since joining the club in 2019.

Zinedine Zidane denied that "stress" accounts for Hazard's prolonged injury issues. 

"[Hazard] is really strong. He's always shown it. It's another injury, and it's a shame for him and for us. But it's happening in a lot of teams," the Real Madrid coach said at a news conference on Monday ahead of the team's Champions League game with Shakhtar Donetsk in Kyiv. 

"He had hardly got injured during his entire career, and then he had the injury that bothered him for a while, and now he's injured again. I'm sure he'll come back stronger."

The 29-year-old Hazard has missed 36 games through injury for Real with a number of different issues and only made his first appearance of the season at the end of October due to an ankle issue. He then tested positive for COVID-19 this month.

Meanwhile, Wolves striker Raul Jimenez fractured his skull in a horrific clash of heads with Arsenal's David Luiz in Sunday's Premier League match, his club said on Monday.

The 29-year-old Mexican international needed oxygen and received treatment for 10 minutes on the pitch before being taken to hospital.

"Raul is comfortable following an operation last night, which he underwent in a London hospital," read the club statement.

"He has since seen his partner Daniela and is now resting. He will remain under observation for a few days while he begins his recovery.

Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Nuno Espirito Santo said he feared the worst when Jimenez was knocked unconscious early in their 2-1 win.

Luiz stayed on the pitch with blood seeping into a white bandage wrapped around his head until half-time.

Wolves extended thanks to medical staff at Arsenal for their quick action and technical expertise as the Arsenal side offered their sympathy and wished Jimenez recover soon. 

"The club would like to thank the medical staff at Arsenal, the NHS paramedics, hospital staff and surgeons who, through their skill and early response, were of such help."

"On behalf of the club and myself, we give our best regards to Raul Jimenez. We hope he recovers well. It was a bad incident, said Arsenal midfielder Joe Willock. 

(With input from agencies)

(Cover image: Eden Hazard of Real Madrid lies injured on the pitch during the La Liga match between Real Madrid and Deportivo Alaves at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, Spain, November 28, 2020. /CFP)