Mourinho suffers injury worries

Real Madrid have been left counting the cost of the international break after a number of their players reported back with injuries, notably left-backs Marcelo and Fabio Coentrao. Brazilian Marcelo broke a metatarsal while training for his country's friendly against Japan in Poland last week, while Coentrao was forced off after just 20 minutes of Portugal's clash with Russia. Last night's draw between Spain and France could also have ramifications for Jose Mourinho as his first-choice right-back Alvaro Arbeloa, who could also have provided cover on the left, limped off early in the second half before France forward Karim Benzema suffered a late knock to his knee. Benzema, whose replacement Olivier Giroud scored France's stoppage-time equaliser, was quick to play down his injury as he told French sports daily L'Equipe: "I just took a knock, nothing too serious." But Arbeloa, along with Manchester City's David Silva, will undergo further assessment with the national team's medical staff before the extent of his injury is known. I want to make a full recovery so that I can bring more joy to the fans. I am going to do everything properly to return to play with the team. Marcelo, Real Madrid defender. The issues facing Marcelo are different as he embarks on a recovery process expected to take several months, but he remains in good spirits. The 24-year-old told Realmadrid.com: "I am so happy to get all these messages supporting me from the fans. I had no idea so many people cared so much about me and I am really grateful to everyone. "I want to make a full recovery so that I can bring more joy to the fans. I am going to do everything properly to return to play with the team. "This is not enough to get anyone down, least of all me. It's happened, I can't change it but now I have to work hard to get back to playing. "At first I was a little glum, but when I got home and saw my wife and child I felt a lot better. These things happen and you have to keep your chin up and keep going. I hope this will be the first and the last time it happens." From Fifa