Madrid, Dec 2 (DPA) Spanish champions Real Madrid announced that defender Pepe would be out of action until January.The Portugal defender tore the quadricep muscle in his left leg in Saturday’s 3-1 defeat away to Getafe, and the club doctors believe that he will be out of action for four to five weeks.

Wesley Sneijder and Miguel Torres both limped out of the Getafe defeat with pulled muscles, and will both be out of action for around 10 days.

Real’s other injury victims are Gabriel Heinze, Mahamadou Diarra, Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Gonzalo Higuain.

However, Arjen Robben and Fabio Cannavaro will probably be able to return next Saturday against Sevilla, after being out for two weeks.

Real are now fourth in La Liga, six points behind runaway leaders Barcelona.